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THE COUNTY AND CITY
CORK
REMEMBRANCER;
OR ANNALS
COUNTY AND CITY OF CORK.
BY
FRANCIS H. TUCKEY.
WITH AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
CORK:
OSBORNE SAVAGE AND SON, PATRICK STREET.
MDCCCXXXVII.
CORK:
JACKSON, PRINTER, SOUTH MALL.
etsTs
r RE FACE.
The design of tlie following -work was suggested by former
publications of a similar character; in 1783 Mr. J.Fitzgerald
published the first Cork Remembrancer; in 1792, Mr. A.
Edwards published the second ; the present attempt is the
third. We believe our city has furnished the only examples
of such compilations. Indeed our predecessors in this path,
accompanied their local anecdotes with a general chronicle
of the world, which, however, we have rejected from oiu*
plan, as being rather inappropriate. Our book is therefore,
for the most part, a mere collection of trilling incidents,
vvliich occurred in the city and county of Cork ; but
frivolous as the facts detailed, may appear to many, they
often present more vivid images of other times, than graver
details; similar trifles of our own time fi.nd their places in
the newspapers, and are allowed to be, at least, amusing ;
and although those of other times lose part of their
attractions by their remoteness, they yet derive from the
same source, an interest of another kind, and may Avell claim
a compiler's labour.
The introductory essay prefixed to the "work, is, in a
great measure, an attempt to deduce important truths from
trivial facts. Some of its conclusions will probably be found
to have been hastily formed, and many valuable points of
view may have been overlooked ; but " non omnia jwssumus
omnes.''^ It is hoped that some interest has been imparted to
the subject by the manner in v.hich it has been treated.
Subjoined is an appendix of documents, abstracts, lists
&c., most of which have, at least, the merit of novelty, and
may prove acceptable to some of our readers.
^ vjf c! t)
SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.
Adams, Roger
Allen, Henry, Cloyne-house
Armstrong, Rev. Dr. Dublin
Armstrong, John do.
Armstrong, John Strong, do.
Atkins, George
Auchmuty, Miss, Dubliti
Barber, Osborne Edward
Barry, G. Standish, M.r. Lemlara
Bastable, Daniel, Dublin
Beamish, George, do.
Beamish, Rev. Samuel
Beamish, John Newman
Becher, Rich.H. Hedges, Hollybrook
Bennett, B.. Deputy Recorder of Coi'k
Bennett, William Colburn
Berkeley, Major-general, Clifton
Berkeley, Robert J. Dublin, 2 copies
Besnard, Julius Caesar
Besnard, John, Jim. Sunday' s-well
Bowden, R. W.
Bowen, John, Oakgrove
Bradford, William
Brady, Rev. F. Temple, Bandon
Browne, Henry, Yonghal
Bull, Joshua, Cittadella
Bull, James,
Bullen, John
Bushe, the Lord Chief Justice, 2 copies
Bushe, Rev. Charles, Castlehaven
Butt, George, m.d, Cloyne
Carmichael, Andrew, Dublin
Carnegie, James, North Esk, 3 copies
Carr, Robert,
Casey, Mrs.
Chatterton, Sir William A. Bart.
Chatterton, J. C. Lieut. -col. 4th D.G.
Chatterton, James, Ballina?nou(//it
Cleary, Simon
Cogan, James Carr
Colburn, John
Connellan, Daniel
Coppinger, William R.
Corker, Frederick Ware
Corker, Thomas Ware
Cork Library,
Cotter, Rev. John R. Innoshannon
Cotter, Rev. George E. Glenvieio
Cotter, Richard Baily
Cotter, Nelson, K. Dublin
Cotter, John, AsJiton
Cotter, George Sackville
Cramer, John T. Rathmore
Creagh, Michael, Dublin, 3 copies
Crofts, Rev. William, Rathpcacon
Croly, Daniel
Crooke, Richard
Cummins, Nicholas
Curtis, Joseph Lindsay
Curtis, M.D.
SUBSCKIBERS NAMES.
Davies, riovvlanj
Davis, R. G. Dnwidiah, Killeagh
Davis, Mrs. T. Dublm, 3 uopios
Daunt, George, Neuhoroiigh
Daunt, William
Dawson, William
Deane, William
Deaves, Thomas •
Denny, James
Dovvden, Richanl R. Sunday' s-ivell
Dowlin, John
Dunscombe, Nicholas, Mount Desert
Dunscombe, Nicholas
Dunscombe, Thomas Shaw
Easton, William
Edden, R. W.
Egan, Rev. John
Egan, Carbery
Evans, James
Evans, Thomas R.
Evans, Julius BesnarJ, m.d.
Exham, Richard, Sen.
Exham, Richard, Jun.
Exham, Thomas
Eyre, Robt. Hedges, Macroom Castle
Fagan, William, Feltrlm
Fairtlough, Rev. S. Ayhena<jh Glebe
Fisher, Denis O'Callaghan
Fisher, William Allen, Bandu/t
Fitzslmons, Henry
Foott, William, 2 copies
Foree, John
Franklin, Denham
Franklin, Robert
Franks, Thomas, Dublin
Fuiflong, Charles, Fermoij
Galway, Edward, Dublin
Galwey, Edward, Mallow
(ialwey, William
Gamble, Michael
Garde, Richard Davis, Dublin
Garde, John Davis, do.
Good, Charles
Good, Jonathan IMorgan
Gould, John
Gould, Edmund
Gray, Rev. Rowland D. Landscape
Gregg, William Vcrling
Haines, Charles Y. m.d. Blackrock
Haines, Humphrey
Hallaran, Rev. William, Macroom
Hallaran, Mrs. do.
Flallaran, J. Charleston, Midleton
Hamblin, Daniel
Hardy, Simeon H, Dublin
Hardy, Charles
Hare, William Richard
Harris, Captain William
Harris, William Prittie, Blackrock
Harrisson, Alderman Thomas Fuller
Harvey, Reuben
Haynes, Samuel
Henry, Thomas Elder, Dublin
Herrick and Hamblin,
Hewson, Rev. Maurice, Cloijne
Kingston, Rev. J. l.l.d. C'oyne, 2 c.
Hingston, Rev. James, Sans Souci
Hingston, Miss, Cloyne
Hingston, George Cottev
Hingston, Francis B. Bandon
Hitchcock, William, Dublin
Hodder, George, Fountainstown
Hodder, Francis, Ballea Castle
Hodder, ?ilrs. do.
Hodder, Peter, Lieut. R.N.
Hodder, Michael, Lieut. R.N.
Hodder, Edward, Lieut.
Hodder, John
Hodder, George John
Hodder, Samuel, Ringabella
Hodnett, Thomas
Hull, Richard E. Lemcon
Hunt, James, Alduorth, Malloic
Humphreys, Daniel, Midleton
Jenkins, William, Dtiblin
Johnson, George
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Johnson, Thomas
Johnson, Rev. Benjamin Burton
Jonps, Henry
Jones, Lewis, Donmjhrook
Kcleher, William
Kift, John Thomas DuhKn, 2 copies
Kift, Mrs. do.
Kift, Thomas, do.
Kilt, William A. do.
Kift, Miss
Lander, William
Lane, Richard James, Duhlin
Lane, Denny, 2 copies
Leahy, Nicholas
Leahy, John, Dublin
Leslie, Henry J. do.
Leslie, Rev. John, Carew's Wood
Leycester, Joseph
Lindsay, John, Alaryvllle
Litchfield, Miss
Litchtield, John, Factory Hill
Lloyd, William J. Duhlin
Long, Mrs.
Long, John
Long, William
Lowe, George Bond, Clogher
Lowe, William
Madden, D. Owen, Dublin, 2 copies
Maginu, Rev John, Castletownroche
Martin, Aylmer R. Mayfield
Martin, Mrs. do.
Mahony, Dan.
IMahony, Martin
M'Carthy, Jeremiah
M'Carthy, Daniel
M'Carthy, Alexander
M'Carthy, Eugene
Martin, Mrs. Richard, Duhliti
M'Mullen, John, do.
M'O'Boy, Michael
M'Swiney, Justin
Meade, Richard, Dublin
Meagher, Daniel
Milward, Henry
Minhcar, James
Moore, Alexander
Morgan, Thomas
Morphy, Edward, Tralee
Morrogh, Robert, 2 copies
Mullins, Thomas, Dublin
Murphy, Francis
Murphy and O'Connor
Nash, Rev. William, Barnstead
Newman, William G. Dubl'.n
Newman, Richard M. T. du.
Noblett, Henry
O'Callaghan, Henry, Kadrid
O'Callaghan, Denis, Cahirduggan
O'Callaghan, William, Dublin
O'Connell, John
O'Donoghue, R. J. Kilnardrish, 2 c.
0' Grady, Jeremiah
Orpen, Richard J. T. Duhlin
Orpen, Basil, Duhlin
0' Sullivan, Morty
Otley, John, Woodfort
Parker, Thomas, Carrigrohan
Parker, Richard Neville
Parker,
Parker, William D'Estcrre
Parks, Edward
Peard, Henry H. Fermoy
Perrier, William Lumley
Perry, Richard J.
Phair, James C. BrooModge
Pollock, John, Youghal
Pyne, Rev. John Lawless, Cloy tie
Pyne, Jasper, Ballyvolane
Radcliffe, Jonas,
Reeves, Richard, Dublin
Roe, Thomas
Rogers, Robert
Rogers, Thomas
Rogers Rev. W. Cloyne
Rothe, Rev. R. Mackloneigh Glchc
Royal Cork Institution,
Ryder, Rev. J. B.
SUBSCRIBERS KAMES.
SaJleir, Major G. V. Sherijff- of Cork
Sadleir, Rev. Henry, Bantry
Salmon, George S. T. 0. D.
Sampson, Richard, Blackroch
Samuels, Henry, Dublin
Shaw, Bernard Robert, Motikstown
Smith, Rev. J. Aghahollogue
Smyth, John, Dublin
Spearing, Alderman Andrew
Spratt, Richard, Baltida7iiel
Stanford, John, Dublin
Stephens, John
Stopford, Rev. W. Abheyville
Sugrue, Francis
Tangney, Thomas
Thorley, William
Townsend, Samuel P. Garrycloyne
Townsend, Edward R. m.d.
Townsend, Horatio, Woodside
Tracy, Bernard
Travers, Robert
Tuckey, Mrs.
Tuckey, Thomas
Tuckey, Rev. James H. Kinsale
Tuckey, John Thomas, 2 copies
Tuckey, Mrs. Martha
Tuckey, Miss M. May field
Tuckey, Charles H. R.M. Carloiv
Twiss, George, Brookdale
Vincent, Nicholas
Vincent, Robert, Sheriff of Cork
Vincent, Mrs. Robert
Vincent, Miss
Vincent, Robert, Jun.
Walker, Francis
Wallis, Major James, Cove
Walsh, John
Warren, Robert, Castle Warren
Webb, Mrs.
Webb, John, l.l.d.
Welland, Rev. W. Cloyne
Welstead, Mrs.
Wemyss, Captain
White, James G. Kilburn
White, William Preston
White, .fames
Windele, J.
Wise, Henry B.
Wise, Thomas, Dublin
Wood, George A. do.
Wood, Benjamin
Wood, Atfiwell
Woodley, Francis
Woodley, Richard, Jun.
Woodley, Francis, Leeds
Woodroffe, Mrs.
SUBSCRIBERS OMITTED IN THE FOREGOING LIST.
Atkin, John Drew,
Berkeley, Miss, Midleton,
Bethara, Sir Wm., Knt. Dublin,
Cane, Major,
Casey,
Chatterton, Thomas,
Conroy, Ordnance Survey,
Coyle, John,
Deeble, Benjamin,
Foott, Richard,
Gould, Richard,
Hill, James, Youghal,
Hoare, Edward,
Jennings, Thomas,
Latouche, Mrs. J. Digges, Dublin.
Lee, Miss,
Reeves, Thomas Somerville,
Roche, Miss,
Sainthill, Richard,
Spread, Palms Westropp,
St. Leger, Antony,
Stavelly, Rev. Robert, Dublin,
Taylor, John.
ERRATA. .
Page xii, line 24,/£»- "twenty-four,' read "thirty-two."
xxiv, line 32, /or "comprized," read "coinprisod."
xxiv, hue 34, /or "English government," read "yoke of Eiiglit.h
government."
xxxi, line lU,/or "justiciary," read "justicar."
xxxi, line 17, for "later" read "latter."
xxxi, line 35, /or " comprizing," read "comprising."
x!i, line 29, and page lii, line 69, for " 1568," read " 15G9."
xli, line 31, /or "the corporations of Dublin, Cork, Limerick aud
Waterford," read " cities, towns or boroughs, or to their
inhabitants, if situated within their franchises.
• xlii, line 15, and page Iviii, lines 24 & 37, for " 1570," read "15G&."
• xlv, line 6, for " 1570," read " 1569."
xlvii, line 39,/or " forbcrunce," read "forbearance."
Ivi, line 5, /or " his," read " Sidney's. "
Iviii, line 24,/or "'fifteen months," read "two years and three months"
Ixii, line 1,/or "compromizing," read "compromising."
■ Ixviii, line 29, for " to," read " at."
Ixxxi, line 16, dele the asterisk.
Ixxxii, line 4, for "possee," read "posse."
Ixxxiv, line 27, for " Catfort," read "the friary garden."
xciii, line Id, for "sects," read "sect."
xcix, line 6, fur "to," read "at."
cv. line 28, for " surpriziugly," read "surprisingly."
16, line 26, /or " Henry," read '' Edward ;"
23, line 2d, for "they," read "Barrett "
34, linrSO, this paragraph should be inserted under the year 1571,
at which time Campion wrote.
41, line 33,/or "Clarendon," read "Clarence "
80, line 8, /or '' Becher," read " Broiincker."
91. line 9, /or "Pentou," read " Fenton."
95, line 22, for '• Knockinass," read " Knockninoss."
• 132, line 12, for "hung up." read "hang them up."
147, Ime 1 1,/or "ovens," read "Ovens."
227, line 22, ufler " assizes," read " at Limerick."
247, line 6, /or " Cashel," read " Cahir."
555, line 1,/or " Richard," reod "Edward."
304. line ^7, for " Polrnt," read " Polent."
308, line 33,/or " Vandeleur," read " Vandeleuen."
309, line 4.0, for " 1G79," read " 1670."
313, line 15, /or " common's," read " commons "
316, in the note, /or "Carew's," rtad "Carews."
318, line 20, for " Saros," read " Saroo."
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
Irish historical subjects have long laboured under peculiar
disadvantages. Our countrymen are not proud of their history.
The tumultuary expeditions and treacherous insurrections of their
forefathers, prosecuted without steadiness or perseverance, and
conducted without prudence or ability, were invariably succeeded
by disgrace and discomfiture, and whatever trifling exceptions
appear to have occurred, were manifestly accidental, and were
soon severely retaliated. In other countries the Irish have proved
as efficient soldiers as those of any nation : they fought with
uncommon bravery at the battle of Stoke in England, in 1487:
those who served under the earl of Montrose, in the reign of
Charles the first, were his main support in all his brilliant victories;
yet in almost all the contests between the English and Irish in this
country, the latter were defeated by very inferior numbers : like
the Scotch highlanders in Montrose's army, they had well known
retreats at hand, to which they were too ready to retire. Hence our
imaginative countrymen, captivated with the splendid and heroic,
and overlooking the solid and the useful, finding in a survey of
their authentic history, little that can administer to their pride and
vanity, no glorious victory, no signal example of military prowess,
no bright spot in the long series of their sanguinaiy annals, on
which the mind, thirsting after glory, can rest with exultation or
complacency, are too apt to treat the subject with neglect, and
ashamed of the undeniable state of facts, despairing to obtain the
admiration of the world, they eagerly seek for a miserable substi-
tute, its pity and charitable consideration. They descant with
earnestness upon the wrongs they have endured, the disadvantages
under which they have laboured, and the obstacles which have
been opposed to the development of their true national character;
and yet their minds are unable to rest without some flattering
X INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
support, however feeble and irrational. Like the drowning man
who catches at a straw, our national writers still cling with fond
infatuation to their Phoenician origin, and the literary glories of
their early monastic seminaries. It is far from our intention to
disparage the investigation of our remotest antiquities ; but we
cannot help lamenting, that a childish vanity should still urge our
antiquarians into an almost exclusive devotion to such subjects,
tainting their judgment with credulity, and generating a distaste
for the study of later times, in which materials become more
abundant and authentic.
The distinction of races has long been obliterated by the
distinctions of religion. The Roman Catholics of all surnames
are perfectly united, and have been intimately blended by inter-
marriages. It is probable that very few (if any) families of pure
native blood are in existence. The proportion also in which the
blood of foreigners is diffused among the people is very large.
On a glance at the names of the late forty shilling freeholders of some
baronies of the county of Cork, the native Irish surnames seemed
to preponderate but little. It is unreasonable then any longer to
regard the aboriginal race as peculiarly the Irish people : all are
descended from Danes and English, as well as from Irish. The
invading races brought with them those qualities which established
their preeminence in many kingdoms of Europe ; and as a large
portion of their blood flows in the veins of perhaps the whole Irish
people, the nation generally may well look back with pride, to the
steady bravery of these their imdoubted ancestors, and the sturdy
defence which a few of them in the pale and in the towns main-
tained for ages, against vastly sviperior numbers of the Irish, who
on the entire were no contemptible foes. We have no wish to
depreciate the native Irish ; if they were light, inconstant, and
incapable of prosecuting great enterprizes, they were on the other
hand, endowed in a superior degree with the more generous and
graceful qualities of human nature. Their warm hearts and fine
imaginations are a valuable infusion in the general character, and
we are convinced that a mixture of both races is capable, after
suitable cultivation, of producing a compound more excellent
than either.
In reality, the history of Ireland, when philosophically studied,
possesses an interest of a very peculiar kind. The condition and
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XI
relations of the different septs, races, and ninnicipal communities,
were most uncommon and unusual ; presenting human nature
under a wholly different aspect from any that appears in the
history of other nations ; furnishing much information that is very
curious and instructive, and many particulars that are highly
honorahle to the civilized portion of the people, many indications
of a noble and uncompromising spirit of liberty, at a time when
England was sunk in the most abject political slavery. It is
our purpose in the following pages, to take a comprehensive view
of the general nature of the different sections, parties and interests,
into which the inhabitants of the county of Cork have from time
to time been separated, with occasional references to such events
of other parts, as may serve to illustrate our subject, or render
more complete our picture of manners and ideas.
When the English first arrived in this island, the natives of the
county of Cork, as well as of the rest of Ireland, were extremely
barbarous, and like other barbarous nations, were continually
engaged in local wars and petty quarrels, assassinations and perfidy
of all sorts. They were stimulated to outrages by the hopes of
pillage and riot, and were led on by chiefs whose constant aim
was to exalt themselves at the expense of their neighbours, by
every means however savage or dishonorable. In such a state of
society, population was necessarily scanty. To this we may attribute
the facility with which the English at first obtained possession of
their lands ; for land was little valued at a time when constant
depopulations had provided ample room for all parties ; and it
seems too that the natives did not very keenly resent, nor were
much surprized at, that sort of treatment which they were
accustomed to experience from one another. The English indeed
assumed a right to the whole country, and king Henry II. affected
to grant the whole kingdom of Cork, except the city and a tract
belonging to the Ostmen of that city, to two great men of the
invaders ; but this was more than he could effectually bestow, and
the invaders were obliged to compound with the natives, and
accept less than one-third of the territory granted.
When fom' Irish kings at a long subsequent period submitted to
Richard II., and consented to receive instruction in manners and
civility from an English tutor, they must have been simple as
well as barbarous. Their teacher told Froissart that they submitted
Xll INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
to the king "more through love and good humour, than by battle
or force."
The natives were at first most imperfectly armed ; even the
inhabitants of walled towns who were of foreign race and more
civilized than the Irish, fought with stones and spades, and were
of course, as well as the aborignes, beaten by very infei-ior numbers
of the English. But as the latter did not follow up their first
successes with rapidity, the Irish were enabled to attain some
improvement in the use of arms, and having gradually encreased
in power, contrived to maintain their own laws and barbarous
independence throughout a great part of the island, for more than
four hundred years.
When the English first arrived here, Dermod M'Carthy was
king of Cork or Desmond- His name has descended to our times
and is widely diffused, as are indeed most of the Irish surnames of
that period, which are mentioned by historians. The Irish were
perhaps the only barbarous people who adopted the general use of
surnames, and this they did as early as any people of modern
Europe. A late writer* indeed with strange ignorance asserts
that the native Irish at the present day, use no surnames ; an
assertion which might mislead future enquirers, if uncontradicted.
The kingdom of Cork, which included parts of. the present
counties of Waterford and Kerry, was before the arrival of the
English divided into twenty-four cantreds. Smith gives rather a
confused account of the ancient divisions : in fact they were
continually changing. In the year 1 346, we find mention of the
following cantreds in the county of Cork. M'Kill, (Imohilly,)
Olethan, Fermoy, Muskridonegan,Kenalech, Kerry, Kynnalbek,
Kynnaletherthragh, Obakun, Muscrymytyn, Courblyan, O'Glas-
syn.(i) The names of some of these are manifestly identical with
those of some modern baronies.
The English settlers adopted the feudal system for their defence,
and submitted to the jurisdiction of itinerant justices, for about a
century and a half; while the natives, in their quarters, continued
* Rees' Cyclopaedia — article Surname. Among the Welsh, surnames were
not in use at all, even among persons of the highest rank, before the reign of
Henry VIII.
(1) Rot. Cane,
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Xlll
to use the old Irish laws. The prevalence of these laws was never
regulated by local boundaries, but by the distinctions of race,
which continually fluctuated with the encroachments of both
parties. After the invasion of the Scots under Bruce, the power
of the crown declined, and the English lords of the county began
to disregard the yoke of government; most of them became open
marauders, waged war upon one another, and wasted the country.
Coroners were so roughly handled and intimidated, that they
refused to execute the duties of their office. ^'^ Loyal subjects were
unable to derive any profit from their lands : one John Lombard
who held the castle of Gynes in this county for the king with
thirty plowlands for ever, at the small rent of forty shillings for
this large estate, was unable to pay even that small sum, and
petitioned the crown, stating that scarcely any tenants could be
induced to inhabit the land, by reason of the frequent invasions of
English and Irish malefactors and rebels, and that those few who
attempted it would pay little or no rent, and were so impoverished
by hostile invasions and depredations, that they designed to
abandon their holdings. (^^
The inhabitants of the country parts must have been very san-
guinary and treacherous, for in the reign of Edward II., the
peaceable inhabitants of the city of Cork were invested with power
todisarm all strangers entering their city; a right which they found
it necessary to enforce strictly, even until the close of the sixteenth
century.
It was optional with the great men, whether they would be
subjects of the king or not. If they formally agreed to submit to
the authority of law, they received such protection as the govern-
ment could afford, otherwise they were left to defend themselves
as best they could. Richard oge Barrett having agreed before the
lord justice to abide by the law, and his enemies having notwith-
standing taken the law into their own hands, and assailed him with
force, a mandate was issued by government ordering them to for-
bear, provided Barrett were ready to abide by the law as he
had promised. (^) This plainly implied a permission to right
themselves by force, in case Barrett should be as lawless as
themselves.
(1) Rot. Cauc. {■>) ib. (3) ib.
XIV INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
To suppress in some degree the disorders of the county, the
government promoted a sort of patriarchal system, copied no doubt
from the Irish customs ; thus the king granted licence to Gerald
Caunton to chastise those of his family for whose good behaviour
he would stand security; and when they afterwards invaded
and plundered the loyal men of the county of Cork, he was com-
manded by government to cause restitution to be made, and to
chastise those who were culpable, according to his licence :(i) thus
also David Roche was authorized to arrest all insurgents of his
surname and lineage, and to imprison and judge them. (2) By
giving such powers to great men, the government preserved them
as allies, and maintained the semblance of its authority.
The important office of sheriff of the county, was usually com-
mitted to one of the most powerful inhabitants, chiefly of the family
of Barry, who in return for the additional power thus conferred on
him, was induced to lend his own influence for the collection of the
king's revenue, and the support of his nominal superiority against
actual insurgents ; but in the enforcement of order amongst the
great men themselves, or in the execution of law process, was
neither able nor perhaps willing to afford much assistance. In
fact, against those who chose to set the law at defiance, the govern-
ment could only act as a separate power, and make reprisals ; thus
Reynaud Caunton having imprisoned Barry and Staunton, two
"magnates" of this county, his son and kinsman were seized by
government as hostages to induce the enlargement of Barry and
Staunton. (3)
We find an instance of a felon committed to the Cust^^J of a
bishop of Cork; (*> from which we may infer that the felon was a
powerful man, and that the bishop, from his sacred character, was
considered better able to secure his prisoner than the sheriff, who
Was more liable to be attacked by the felons partizans. However
for the better securing the persons of powerful felons of this county,
they were frequently placed in the custody of the mayor and
bailiffs of the city of Cork, which was a fortified place, secure
from attack. ^^^
Nevertheless, there were in those times regularly appointed
conservators of the peace in the different cantreds of this county:
(l)Kot. Caiic. (2)ib. (3)ib, (4) ib. (5) ib.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XV
part of their duty was to array all able bodied men of their respective
cautreds, for the suppression of private wars between the great
men, and the punishment of idle soldiers who plundered and
murdered through the county. (U But this was a weak provision
and produced no amendment.
The lords of the county were gradually weakened by their
mutual broils : at last those who were worsted availed themselves
of the assistance of the Irish ; and these latter finding the oppor-
tvinity favourable, contrived eventually to expel many of the
English and repossess themselves of their lands, but pursued a system
of barbarous and bloody warfare, murder, and robbery : and the
English who remained, following the same courses, and adopting
the laws and customs of the Irish, the whole county was reduced
to a state of anarchy. Peculiar hostility was directed against the
the loyal and peaceable towns, whose inhabitants, shut up within
their walls, their lands wasted, their trade destroyed, were reduced
to poverty and almost ruined ; and so desperate was their condition,
and so little help did they expect from the king's government, that
as a last resource, the people of Cork, Youghal and Kinsale, pe-
titioned the administration, representing their miserable condition,
requesting that they might be furnished with competent com-
manders, and promising that if this I'equest were granted, they
would rise at their own expense against the lords and chieftans,
and punish their enormities ; but if it should be refused (as they
plainly expected,) they threatened to complain to the government
in England. *
But the English pale, a district of about twenty miles round
Dublin, was as much as the government could hold in subjection.
We are accustomed to imagine that the wars with France di\'erted
the attention of England from this country ; but it is likely that
under any circumstances, little at that time could have been done
* This letter was addressed to the earl of Rutland and Cork, in the reign
of Henry IV. Cox suggests that this must have occurred some years later,
when the duke of York, who had also the above titles, was chief governor.
But it is unlikely that he would be addressed by his inferior titles ; and the
person here meant was probably Richard Plantagenct, earl of Rutland and
Cork, who lived at the earlier period.
(])Rot. Cane.
XVI INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
towards the reduction of Ireland. The English armies were led
out by feudal lords, who expected advantages to themselves from
war. France was an improved kingdom, where victory might be
followed by the submission of a people, civilized, accustomed to the
comforts of life, and afraid of a renewal of their calamities ; where
valuable estates might be enjoyed, or where at all events plunder
and rich ransoms might be hoped for. Ireland was a country in the
lowest state of poverty. The English nation had greatly improved
in comfort and civilization since the time of Henry II, and would
not be so easily captivated with barbarous regions, as their ances-
tors in that king's reign ; neither would they find the Irish so
wholly unacquainted with improved methods of fighting. Nothing
could be expected from plunder: the country was so intersected
with woods and bogs, and the bodies of the Irish were so hardy
and active, that a victory over them was attended with no con-
siderable result: most of them could escape to inaccessible places:
war could neither impoverish nor incommode them ; it was their
pastime, and though they were not steady in battle, they were ever
ready to renew it. This was well known to their English adver-
saries, who worn out with toil and attacked with diseases, and
seeing no advantage to be gained by a continuance of hostilities,
were ever ready to accept their faithless submissions ; while they,
enjoying themselves in their woods and morasses, would wait for
favourable opportunities, and suddenly issue from their retreats,
reiterate their outrages, and devastate those lands which the
English had spent so much blood and treasure in acquiring.
To reduce the Irish at that time, would have demanded the power
of a wealthy and despotic government, which in imitation of the
Homans, could establish fortified military stations at small intervals,
through the country, keeping them well garrisoned, under governors
invested with arbitrary and absolute power, and taking care to
ensure regular supplies of provisions by the help of a standing army.
But the English had no idea of a government founded on any but
feudal principles : any other was contrary to the ideas of the times ;
and even if it were suggested, it would in the first outlay, have
proved far too expensive for the pecuniary resources of those times.
If any mode of reducing Ireland to law and order, were deemed at
all feasible, there can be no doubt that the imperious spirit of
Henry VIII. furnished as he was with power and resources, would
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XYll
have required something more than empty acknowledgments of
his superiority. We cannot argue its feasibihty from the success
of the first adventurers, for the Irish had not then the use of arms ;
nor from the final success of EHzabeth, for many circumstances
of the country were then changed; it was become more accessible
by the destruction of woods •/ the inhabitants in many parts were
improved in comforts and civilization, and could feel some love of
quiet, and some willingness to acquiesce after defeat, as the least of
two evils. But notwithstanding these encreased facilities, such were
the long duration and enormous expense of these wars, that if the
queen could have foreseen them, there can be little doubt, that,rather
than encounter them, she would have made almost any concessions
to the natives. To form a true idea of the impracticability of the
Irish, we should think of the Caff'res and Ashantees of the present
day, and ask ourselves, whether the whole force of the British
empire could bring them to submit to law and order, before the
lapse of many generations, and whether it would be worth our
while to attempt with them, what the English are blamed for not
attempting in Ireland.
It is the fashion also to repi'oach the English with refusing the
benefits of English law to the Irish races. They had however the
best reasons for their conduct. Though the Irish may have
occasionally shewn a readiness to receive the benefits of English
laws, they had no idea of incurring their obligations. This was
well known to their opponents, who clearly saw that if men of
their ungovernable natures were allowed the advantage of legal
forms, their outrages must have gone unpunished : even in
civilized communities, martial law, or some sort of summary
proceeding is sometimes found expedient; but against the Irish it
was of indispensible necessity, for the preservation of existence ;
and besides it is a fact that Irishmen found no difficulty in obtain-
ing special grants of the right to use English laws : the rolls of
chancery are full of such grants, many of them made to persons of
inferior condition. Mr. Hallam is of opinion that the government
however willing to make English laws general, was restrained by
the selfish policy of the powerful lords of English race ; quite
forgetting that if the Irish really wished to receive and abide by
(1) Moryson. 2
XVlll INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
those laws, their power being a full counterpoise to that of the
others, could effectually have supported the government in that
or any other equitable measure. In tnith the government was
restrained only by deference for the opinion of parliament : it was
not until the Irish were totally broken, that this measure could
safely be attempted ; and then it was accomplished by a mere
judgment of the king's bench, without considting parliament
at all.
The adoption of Irish laws and customs by the English race,
has been called degeneracy by writers of subsequent times, who
attended only to the coexistence of disorder and anarchy with
these customs ; but they were probably as conducive to civility,
as the feudal law, administered by petty rulers unrestrained by any
common sovereign. Even in England where the crown was
comparatively powerful, the picture of manners is by no means
flattering. The nobles were the chief perpetrators and abettors of
crime, and so numerous and powerful were malefactors in the
reign of Edward I., that the ordinary ministers of justice, (like
the coroners of the county of Cork,) were afraid to execute their
office, and the king was obliged to adopt an extraordinary remedy
for the evil.C^ But to descend much later; even in the reign of
Richard II., there were general confederacies in crime formed by
the nobility, and pardons were extorted from the king for the most
enormous crimes. C"^) Hume observes that during the wars of the
roses, all we can distinguish with certainty through the dark cloud
which covers that period, is a scene of horror and bloodshed,
savage manners, arbitrary executions, and treacherous dishonorable
conduct in all parties. Much as we may condemn the arbitrary
government of the Tudors, it seems to have been the means by
which civilization made its principal advances among the English.
In Ireland that family never gained any encrease of authority in
civil government ; and to this we may attribute the distraction and
bloodshed which prevailed in the greater part of the country until
the close of the reign of Elizabeth. During all that period no law
existed but that of the sword : the grand pursuit of hfe was the
plunder of cattle, the burning of houses, and the murder of their
hmiates; and so incorrigible did the inhabitants appear, that
(1) Hume. (2) ib.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XIX
St. Leger, who held an important command in this country in the
reign of Henry VIII., gravely discusses in one of his despatches,
the propriety of endeavouring to exterminate the Irish, but
concludes it to be impossible, chiefly on account of their amazing
faculty of enduring calamities and privations.*
The lords of both races were both actors and abettors in the
enormities that were committed : cattle were the great object
of plunder : and as they were almost the only sort of moveable
property, scarcely any other sort of theft was known. To protect
their cattle, and probably also that of their tenants, seems to have
been a principal object with the lords and gentry. A great castle
with its ballium, like those of the Anglo-Normans, would not have
answered this purpose, as it would aflbrd refuge only to the cattle
of its neighbourhood. Hence we find the whole county studded
with castles of a small size : the barony of Fermoy, formerly the
property of the lords Roche, is very full of them, and this was
probably the reason why Sydney found it in the reign of Elizabeth,
the best inhabited part of the county of Cork. These castles are
said to be so placed that each is visible to those next it, forming
a chain of signal towers : We have ourselves, in passing through
that district observed three to which this remark is applicable.
The castle of Ballincolly, about five miles westward of the city of
Cork, is an interesting specimen of such castles. The ballium or
bawn is of an irregular shape, adapted to the rocky elevation on
which it stands, and consists of a strong wall nearly five feet thick,
and about fifteen feet high, enclosing a space of from seventy to a
hundred feet across ; the space on the top was defended by a
parapet; there were flights of steps leading to it in different
places ; the wall near these steps being much thicker than else-
w'here, to afford room to those passing on the top ; at the bottom
of the parapet are small holes for shooting through, and larger
ones near the ground. The u.se of flanking towers seems to have
been hardly known to the builder ; there is however one at the
south east corner, but weak and ill adapted to the purpose, and a
smaller one near it, whose use is not easily conjectured. In the
north wall which is on the top of a rock, are three handsome high
* State papers.
XX INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
cut stone loop holes, one of them double,* Through these it
was probably intended to enjoy the prospect during intervals of
quiet, as well as to annoy besiegers at other times. It is remark-
able that this wall is so constructed in its whole extent, as to
incline and overhang somewhat towards the inside : the area
within is in its natural state, rocky and very uneven : the tower
or keep (if it deserves the name) stands at one side within the
enclosure, and was built without any view towards strength, the
chief reliance seeming to be placed in the strength of the outer
wall : it is nearly square, about sixty feet high, and aboiit fifteen
in diameter ; all the floors are of stone on solid arches, as a preser-
vative against fire : in order to support them, the two walls on
which they rest are much thicker than the others : the stair-case is
spiral, and so narrow, that it rather resembles a chimney ; and the
rooms are so small, that it is hard to conceive how persons of any
consideration could endure such a residence : they are wholly
destitute of windows, even to the top, and the extremely narrow
loop holes are hardly sufficient to admit air enough for breathing.
There was evidently however, a hexagonal sti-ucture near the
tower, partly formed by a projection of the wall of the ballium,
and furnished with a window : this may have been the hall where
guests were entertained. A large mass of the wall of this latter
building, about five or six feet thick, was lately overthrown,
(evidently by gun-powder) : other parts also were injured; but it
was found more advantageous to procure stones from the adjacent
rock.
Such seems to have been the style of most of these castles,
though the bawns were usually square and were better flanked :
the masonry is generally compact and firm, but the stones are of
very moderate size ; in many instances the towers only remain, and
they closely resemble that which we have been describing, but are
generally larger and stronger, the walls being commonly about
four feet thick. Kilgobbin castle on the Bandon river is a fine
tower, thirty feet by thirty-two, and about ninety feet high : it
* Mr. R. O'Callaghan Newenham, in his Views in Ireland, represents
them as Gothic windows. He also represents a high buttress at one of the
corners of the tower, which never had existence. In his view of Glanworth
castle, the central tower is more than twice as high as the reality. He co-
pied probably from some old sketch takcu when the tower was perfect.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XXI
contains only two vaulted floors; hence the rooms are very lofty.
The walls are five feet and a half thick, at a height of six feet from
the ground. These towers usually stand alone, at a distance from
towns, and from their height and lonelines-s, present a striking
and melancholy picture of a former state of society.
Some of the great lords however had castles of much larger
size; MacCarthy huilt Kilcrea and Blarney castles in the fifteenth
century. The towers of these remain perfect; the latter is a
quadrangle of sixty- five feet by thirty-nine, and about eighty feet
high, with projecting machicolated battlements; but it is almost
as ill provided with air and light as the smallest; all the loop-holes
are very narrow, and a small window was admitted at only one side,
which stands on the brink of a precipice. The other fortifications
of this castle were destroyed by king William's army. It is stated
in Pacata Hibernia, that its walls were eighteen feet thick; but
these may have been ramparts.
We may presume that the ballium or bawn was formerly an
appendage, or rather an essential part of every castle ; but from
the disappearance of the bawns of many, it seems probable that
they were often slightly built, particularly if the tower itself were
strong; perhaps indeed they were often mere earthworks, within
which cattle might be driven for safety, the tower (if strong) being-
relied on for the final defence of the garrison : at least we know
that it was not unusual to form earthworks round villages, for the
protection of cattle. ^'-^ In the ruined tower at Keen, opposite
Castle-Townsend, there is a very curious contrivance for annoying
assailants who might come so close as to be secure from the shot of
the loopholes ; there is a gradual depression in the wall, commenc-
ing about five feet from the ground, and shaped like a vertical
angle, the vertex opening into the second room of the tower, by
a hole at the first vault, through which men at arms in that
room could annoy all persons close to the walls.
Notwithstanding the comparative order and peace which for
several years succeeded the civil wars of Elizabeth, the uncom-
fortable habitations which we have been describing continued to
be made use of so late as 1644, when BouUaye le Gouz, a French-
man, travelled in Ireland, — we shall give his description hereafter.
(1) Stut. 36, Henry G, Chap. 2.
XXU INTRODUCTORY ESSAY,
However, a much more extensive and improved style of
building was introduced in the reign of Elizabeth, as appears
from the instance of Kanturk castle, of which Smith gives two
views. Mount Long castle, built in 1631, according to a date
visible in the stucco some years ago, and Burn Court castle in the
county of Tipperary, forfeited in the year 1641, were smaller
buildings of nearly the same kind ; both were quadrangles with
square towers at the corners, but all the walls, both of the central
building and the towers, were sui'mounted by gables, to the great
detriment of their aj^pearance. These castles were without any
contrivance for defence, except that in the first there were wide
loop holes instead of windows in the basement story, and also in
some of the gables ; at Mountlong the windows of the central
room of the first floor are divided into six compartments
of stone, and the castle to a near observer has a remarkably
striking appearance, partly arising from its plan, and partly from
the strength and plain beauty of the cut stone work ; the building
has however been so weakened by some person who lately forced
away the oaken lintels, that it cannot be expected to stand much
longer: one of the towers has fallen. The loop-holes and com-
partments of the windows were further narrowed with iron bars :
the cornice of the principal room is ornamented with figures,
representing scriptural subjects and field sports ; there remains a
half-burned lintel, which in some degree countenances a tradition,
that the owner Mr. Long, having sustained a defeat, his daughter
in despair set fire to the castle. Monkstown castle, built in 1638,
is on a nearly similar plan ; it is furnished with machicolations
at the tops of the corners. Carrigrohane castle was a large house
with four gables and large windows, but was defended at the top of
two of the corners by projections, perforated with round holes for
small arms. Ballea castle, forfeited in 1641, is of irregular shape
like the portion of a rectangle called the gnomon : at present it
greatly resembles an ordinary old fashioned house with gables ;
it was however defended with rude machicolations at the corners,
two of which remain ; the windows are said to have been formerly
very small ; but by their enlargement and the addition of others,
it has become a good house. There were no vaulted floors in
these castles : the walls were about four feet thick. White castle
near Kinsale, is stated in Lewis's topographical dictionary to have
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XXIU
been built in 1497; this date must ajjply to some former building,
for the ruins which remain are those of a small ordinary house,
furnished with machicolations like the others.
"\\'e confess we have examined closely very few of the castles of
this county, of which Smith enumerates three hundred and sixty;
but we think we have seen enough to justify the general conclu-
sions which we have arrived at, regarding their construction ; and
we are not without hopes that this work may stimulate others to
contribute towards preserving from oblivion those numerous
evidences of a very peculiar state of society; not by the publication
of inaccurate views, intended only for picturesque effect, such as
have hitherto almost exclusively appeared ; but by accurate repre-
sentations, with plans explahiing their size, strength, and
construction, and the probable purposes of each part, such as may
throw light on the modes of life pursued by their inmates. The
plates in Pacata Hibernia should never be depended on as repre-
sentations of the buildings intended. They seem to have been
roughly sketched from memory ; thus in the plan of Castle ni
Park, are represented two tall narrow towers, though in fact
they are nearly of a cubical shape, being still partly complete
to the parapet. They are quadrangles of thirty feet by twenty-
five,* and about twenty-five or thirty feet high ; their walls
are four feet thick ; they are pierced with loop-holes, and
served to flank a sort of barrack, sixty feet long and about
fifty broad, consisting of buildings round three sides of a very
small court yard, which in the above plan is represented as very
large, while in the same plan the buildings to make room for it,
appear most incorrectly contracted to very narrow dimensions.
The whole is surrounded with ramparts thirteen feet thick,
defended by four bastions, each of which has only one flank;
but the parapets on the faces of the bastions at the other sides
were pierced with oblique loop-holes, as a substitute for other
flanks. The angles of the bastions are rounded at the extremities.
The whole is faced with a wall three feet thick, the parapet being
a foot and a half thick. The large works which encompass the
above, though represented in Pacata Hibernia, were not in
existence 'till after the wars related in that work. They have
* In giving measurements, we disregard fractious of a foot.
XXIV INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
all the appearance of having never been finished, though we
believe Smith somewhere states the contrary. Two of the bastions
and the intervening curtain shew the remains of a thick stone
facing ; but as some of the spaces between this and the earthen
mound are not filled up, and as no traces of a wall are perceptible
in the other parts, we conclude that the works never were finished.
We are the moi"e minute in describing these particulars, in
order to shew the incorrectness of the views in Pacata Hibernia ;
and because it is probable that Castle ni Park is the oldest
instance of the use of bastions in Ireland. It seems to have been
a fortification belonging to the town of Kinsale. There is a
narrow fosse or passage, protected by walls of earth, leading from
it to the edge of Kinsale harbovu-, where there stands a curious
fortification, consisting chiefly of a platform defended by a very
thick wall, with large intervals for great guns. There is here
also a curious vaulted apartment mider the side of the hill. We
may take this opportunity to observe, that Smith's descriptions
are very incorrect. He tells us that BallincoUy castle was
flanked with towers at each angle. His account of Glanworth
castle is a piece of gross exaggeration.
The invention of cannon has rendered castles almost useless
for defence ; but cannon did not make their appearance in Ireland
before the close of the fifteenth century; and for a long time
afterwards could be little used in so impassable a country. From
this cause castles were considered available for defence until the
wars of 1641, when their untenableness became apparent; yet if
we consider the magnitude of those purposes to which iron is
applied in the present day, it seems not very Utopian to look
forward to the time, when a small iron castle of suitable construc-
tion, may be found to be as tenable as stone castles formerly
were, or even more so.
The Earl of Desmond, whose territories comprized a third part
of the county of Cork, was the first of English race who avowedly
threw off the English government; having a palatine jurisdiction
over his estates, his authority became enormous : he assumed the
state of an independent sovereign, and refused to attend the
parliaments of the Kingdom. The influence of his successors
continued to encrease, until at last it seemed to overspread the
greater part of this county. Sir Henry Sidney gives a lamentable
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XXY
description of the state of this part of the kingdom in tlie year
1567. The villages were burned; the churches ruined; the
bones of those who had died by murder or famine lay in the fields.
Even the principal inhabitants seemed reduced to great misery.
They had, however, little idea of cultivated life : the example
of lord Louth, who accompanied Sidney to Cork in 1575,
did much to persuade them "to leave their barbarity, and to
be ashamed of their wilful misery." "They seemed" says Sidney,
"in all appearance, generally to loathe their vile and barbarous
manner of life." Indeed most of those of English race, would at
all times have been glad to embrace English laws and manners, if
in so doing they could obtain the protection of govemment.O
Deprived of this, they were fain to seek such protection as Irish
law might afford, by conforming to the habits of their too power-
ful neighbours.
The principal towns of Ireland were founded by the Danes
or Ostmen ; we may suspect that others had a similar origin
from their hostility towards the inhabitants of the country,
which seems to have been transmitted to them from the earliest
times. We are told that the city of Cork was a marshy island,
which the Danes took possession of, and surrounded with
walls ; l)ut it is also asserted that it took its rise from a school
or monastery established by saint Finbarr, at lough Eire, in
the sixth century,* to which such numbers flocked from all
parts, that it changed a desert as it were into a large city.
The south-west suburb of Cork is at present only about one
hundred yards distant from a small lake called "the lough"'; and
in the same quarter of the city, on a rising ground, stands the
cathedral church of saint Finbarr, at no great distance from the
lough, and very near the river Lee, which encompasses the flat
part of the city. The vicinity of a number of marshy islands
* St. Nessau who was educated at this school under St. Finbarr, died
according to the annals of the four masters in 551. Ware tells us that St.
Colman, whose father Lenin was a discii)le of Finbarr, died in 604. These
dates seem to agree pretty accurately as to the time when St. Finbarr flour-
ished. Yet Ware in another place says, that he founded the cathedral of
Cork in the early part of the 7th century — a date which we may fairly reject
as many years too late.
(1) State papers, anno. 1515. 3
XXVI INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
might have given a name to the city:* indeed part of it might
have been built on them before the arrival of the Danes : however,
a colony of that people, in the ninth century, took possession of a
portion of these marshes, and surrounded it with walls, and the
importance thus given to the place was perhaps sufficient to
extend its name to the other part, even though it bore a different
name before. That there was a settlement of the natives on the
hill before the arrival of the Danes, seems to be confirmed by the
fact, that a round towerf formerly stood near the cathedral ; for
it is generally admitted, that these towers were built by the natives;
if it required, any further proof, we might adduce the case of the
round tower of Glendalough, in the coimty of Wicklow, which
stands in a bleak barren spot in a hollow of the mountains, where
no foreigners would dare to settle, exposed as they would be to
perpetual incursions of the natives, descending from an unknown
and inaccessible country, and removed to a distance from naviga-
tion and commerce.
* The word Cork signifies a marsh.
f Of all the conjectures which have been hazarded respecting the uses of
these towers, that which supposes them to have been built as an abode for
anchorites, seems to us the most extraordinary. All other abodes in this
country were of timber, a material which we presume would last as long as
any anchorite. It is said that they could not have been built for beacons, as
they are generally in low situations ; this supposes that beacons could only
be intended for conveying intelligence to distant parts, like modern tele-
graphs; but they might answer very useful though much less extensive
purposes. We know that the natives were continually engaged in petty
wars with each other, and that petty marauding expeditions were very
frequent. Under such circumstances the people would naturally live in towns
and villages for mutual protection, and one of the most desirable provisions
for their security would be the early and certain intelligence of the approach
of enemies. Their village would be built for the sake of water, good soiL
and shelter, in the low grounds, concealed we may suppose, by woods, from
the surrounding country. During the day the inhabitants would be scattered
through their lands, attending to their flocks and herds, or their sports, while
in the mean time their habitations, attacked by a party of enemies, might be
burned, their wives, children, and effects destroyed or carried off before any
preparations could be made for defence. They probably had neither the
knowledge nor the means necessary for surrounding their settlements with
walls : these too would require to be defended by a large and permanent body
of townsmen remaining within ; and this would not have suited the manners
of the Irish, who followed no mercantile or sedentary pursuits. Watch
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XXVll
It appears that at the time of the EngUsh invasion, Cork
consisted of two separate towns, one being the original settlement
of the natives, on the hill to the south of the river, where the
round tower stood; and the other being the fortified island,
inhabited by the Danes or Ostmen : for king Henry's grant before
alluded to, mentions the Ostmen of the city of Cork, and the
cantred of land belonging to them. They were therefore a
separate community, distinct from the rest of the townsmen.
This will reconcile the account of the city being built and fortified
by the Ostmen, with the other accounts whifch we possess of Cork
being the capital city of MacCarthy, prmce of Desmond, and of
its being sacked by the Danes long after it is said to have been
built and fortified by them : as we can understand these latter
facts to be related of the town on the hill belonging to the Irish,
which, be it obsen'ed, was in after times called old Cork, as
appears from the map in Pacata Hibernia, where the cathedral is
called "the cathedral church of old Cork"; but the island only
towers were therefore necessary for their safety : they were built in the village
itself, however low its situation, in order to be used in the place where
intelligence of the approach of enemies must first arrive : they were high
enough to overtop all the trees, so that signals might be seen and trumpets
clearly heard from them, at a sufficient distance round the village, to recal
the scattered inhabitants : they were all provided with four apertures at the
top, from which the announcements could be made : they were built of solid
masonry to resist assaults, and the entrance was placed at a considerable
height from the ground for the security of those within, who could at their
leisure beat off all attempts to enter, or destroy those entering, with stones.
Meantime the inhabitants would pour in from all sides, to attack the enemy,
and save or recapture their goods and families. If the attack were made on
cattle grazing at a distance, or on parties of the inhabitants, instead of on the
villages, the village itself was the most central point for a general muster, and
therefore in all cases the most proper site for the tower. Trumpets have been
dug up in some of the towers; these instruments, according to the foregoing
hypothesis, were better adapted for conveying intelligence than signals ; for
the height of the tower would prevent the sound from being suppressed,
while the view of it would, in many places, be intercepted by distant trees ;
but both might be available. Bells also might have been used with advan-
tage, if the inhabitants possessed them. These towers might have been
useful for defence against the Danes, as long as that people made their incur-
sions in moderate numbers. It is possible that the villages might have been
surrounded by embankments, in which case the whole would closely resemble
the castles which wc have described above.
XXVm INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
being fortified, and defended by the river, it was the only part
which subsisted in 1545, according to the map of tlie city in
that year, annexed to this work ; the part called old Cork, with
the exception of the cathedral, having probably been destroyed
long before by the wars of the neighbouring lords.
The Danes being probably acquainted by their experience abroad,
with the best mode of fortifying themselves, surrounded their
settlements with walls. At one tune they succeeded in subduing
the whole of Ireland; but they were afterwards conquered in the
country parts, and were able to maintain only their fortified towns,
with more or less extent of territory. They formed however,
potent septs in themselves, at various times, according to their
power and temporary success ; and their governors or kings, as
they called them, were deemed suitable alliances for the great
native families: but their communities becoming gradually weaker,
and applying themselves to commerce, they found it advisable to
live as far as possible in peace with the natives; and as their kings
had probably been only military conmianders, the towns at last
became little republics, and were sometimes at war, and sometimes
in alliance with the natives, and sometimes tributary to them; but
were always of more relative importance in the country, than the
towns of most other parts of Europe. These latter owed the rise of
their importance to the patronage of their kings, who, wishing to
rear a counterpoise to the power of the barons, raised the towns-
men from the former servitude in which the lords had held them,
and granted them immunities and domestic jurisdictions. A sense
of their own importance was consequently of very slow growth :
their representatives in the parliament of England continued to a
very late period in great awe and submission to the will of their
superiors ; but in Ireland the origin and subsequent state of their
independence being totally different, their comparative importance
in the social scale was much greater, as will presently appear;
though at the time of the English invasion, having been settled in
the country for some centuries, and being then engaged in the
peaceable pursuits of trade, and accustomed only to the warfare of
the natives, they were remarkably deficient in the means of resis-
tance. We find the men of Cork attacking the English with
spades and stones ; and it is not to be wondered at, that they were
easily subjected with the rest of the country : yet as their avoca-
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XXIX
tions were peaceable, and required protection and security, they
found no ditliculty in acknowledging their dependance on the
king of England, having been accustomed at various times to
acknowledge the superiority of the neighbouring chiefs. They
seem to have willingly transferred their allegiance from the one to
the other, and were soon amalgamated with the English settlers,
who were originally of the same race as themselves.
However, the disorders of the country parts being unfavorable to
their prosperitv, and growing worse in succeeding times by the
laxity and weakness of government, the old hostility which the
towns bore to the inhabitants of the country was perpetuated. The
protection which they expected from the English power was
with-held, and they were again thrown upon their own resources,
as before the arrival of the English. Union and good order and
their walls enabled them to secure themselves against the barbarous
lords of the country ; but their lands were wasted, their traffic with
the country interrupted, those who dared to trade with them were
put out of the protection of their lords, and were consequently
robbed and murdered with impunity. Trade and commerce were
by these means discouraged, and the towns kept in comparative
poverty. Under such circumstances it is not possible that they
should regard the inhabitants of the country in any other light
than as objects of abhorrence and contempt, as well as of fear :
no reverence for territorial aristocracy could be known in their
communities ; and the remarkable letter of the citizens of Cork,
already mentioned, shews that they regarded the lords and chiefs
of the county as the chiefs of savage tribes in foreign countries
are at tl:iis day regarded by civilized settlers on their coasts.
The free spirit communicated to the towns by their independent
existence at various times, and their frequent hostilities as separate
states with the territorial lords, and by their having always enjoyed
the direction of their internal government, however they might
have been occasionally tributary, is the only principle by which
we can account for the deference with which they were treated by
the early English government. It was always thought necessary
to ask their consent to the imposition of taxes, many years too
before similar respect was shewn to the towns of England. —
In 1201, king John issued writs, humbly intreating a parlia-
mentary subsidy from, 'amongst others,) the knights, citizens,
XXX INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
merchants, and burgesses throughout Ireland/') In 1244, an
equaHzation of weights and measures in all the cities and towns of
Ireland was directed; but for effecting it, the justiciar was
ordered first to call a council of all the discreet burgesses of
Ireland/2^ In 1254, the queen regent issued a writ, humbly
beseeching a subsidy, and addressed to (among others) the citizens
and burgesses of Ireland. This was eleven years before the
occuiTence of any similar mention of the commons in England,
and furnished Petyt with an argument in favor of the antiquity
of their authority in that kingdom, which could not, he conceived,
have been of later growth than in Ireland, However, this pre-
tension has long been universally abandoned by English writers,
who are now content to date the first appearance of the commons
in parliament in the year 1265. A statute was passed in 1269,
by the three estates in Ireland, for regulating weigbts and mea-
ures. In 1275, the justiciar of Ireland was directed to induce
the different estates of parliament, including the commons and
merchants, hij such means as should appear most likely to
succeed, to grant certain customs on goods. '3;
The word " parliament" originally meant "a parley," because
the king or his ministers was obliged to parley or negociate with
the commons about supplies. Thus Thomas de Clare, and John
de Saundford, the escheator of Ireland, were directed in 1282,
to hold a conference and treaty (colloquium et tractatum) in
the king's name, with the abbots, priors, and other religious
men ; with the citizens, burgesses, merchants and communities
of the cities, boroughs, and trading towns of Ireland, and with
certain other persons named, respecting the granting of a loan of
money for the king's use, either separately or conjointly, accord-
ing to the ability oi' the persons or communities, and to admonish
and induce them to it, in the most diligent and cautious manner
they couldX^^
The following curious account of the proceedings of a parley
or parliament is preserved among the records. In the year 1300,
letters were issued requesting a subsidy to carry on war against
(1) Gale's corporate system — appendix. The words are " non consuetud-
inarie sed aniabiliter rogamus," &c.
(2) ib. (3) ib. (4) ib.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XXXI
the Scots : a writ of summons was addressed to all the nobles,
requiring their personal and pecuniary aid; writs were also issued
to all the cities and horoughs throitqhout Ireland ; and the
justiciar summoned A general parliament at Dublin : all the
prelates and magnates were to come in person, the communities
of the counties by two, three or four, elected by them for this
purpose, and having special power as if all were present ; and
in like manner the communities of the cities and boroughs by
two or three, &c.
But first the justiciary determined to address the mayors and
more honest men of the cities and boroughs, respecting the
subsidy. He first went to Drogheda, and shewed the King's
letter, directed to the mayor and community of that borough, and
after he had held a diligent treaty with them, they granted 240
marks. He then went to the other cities and towns ; among the
rest, to Cork and Youghal. The former granted 240 marks ; the
later £40 and five hundred fishes, worth a hundred shillings.
After this the magnates and communities came to tlie parliament
in the manner required ; and divers of them, excusing themselves
from granting the subsidy, begged of the justiciar that he would
go through the districts, promising their assistance towards the
subsidy which the communities in person might grant, and that
the}", the magnates and prelates, would then contribute with them.
The justiciar consented, and having treated with the commons
of the counties, &c., received grants from each; the county of
Cork, exclusive of its trading towns, gave £200.(1)
The government of the city of Cork was depute<l by Henry II
to two of the invaders, Cogan and Fitz-Stephen, during pleasure;
but this arrangement seems to have been unsuited to the state of
the inhabitants, and only tempoi'ary ; for soon after, in the same
king's reign, his son John, then lord lieutenant, granted the city and
certain fields to the townsmen of Cork ; from which it is to be
presumed, that they were then a municipal body, having the direc-
tion of their own affairs. King Henry III, granted them the city
with certain lands outside it, (comprizing possibly the cantred of
the Ostmen,) at a yearly rent of 80 marks, and conferred on them
certain privileges and immunities, assimilating their constitution
to that of English corporations. This however, was only a continu-
(1) Gale.
XXXll INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
ation, (not a commencement as in other countries) of their domestic
government; they afterwards received grants of other privileges
from time to time : that which authorized them to disarm all
strangers entering their city, was a curious support and sanction of
their isolated existence. In 1 333, a privilege was granted to the town
of Kinsale to make war upon the Irish; this was contained in its
lirst charter, that of Edward III, which informs us that this town
was then surrounded by Irish enemies, and English rebels ; that
these had often by sea and land assaulted it, and that the
burgesses had always obeyed the king's orders in repelling them.
It states also, that the walls were ruinous, and the burgesses not
able to repair them. These statements shew that the inhabitants
of Kinsale had been a municipal community long before ; but we
find no account of its foundation. It plainly appears that a high
value was set upon the towns ; that they were conciliated and cher-
ished by government, as the only seats of law and order, and the
main support of the king's authority in these parts. The favors
shewn to them were very remarkable, and very much in derogation
of the royal authority. Spenser was of opinion, that in his day great
public inconvenience resulted from their excessive privileges.
Youghal must have been a municipal town long before the
charter of Edward IV,* for we find mention of its superior or
sovereign in 1360 ;(1) it was, as we have seen, one of those towns
which granted a parliamentary subsidy in 1300. In 1373, it was
called on by government to send six representatives to a sort of
council or parliament, to consult on important aftairs. In 1377,
it sent representatives to a parliament, as did Kinsale in \366.{'^)
These towns however, were often omitted in summoning parlia-
ments, but the city of Cork always held a prominent place in the
national councils.
In considering the circumstances in which the towns were
placed, we cannot fail to perceive a striking similarity between
their situation and that of the Greek settlements on barbarous
* Both Youghal and Kinsale were nominally the property of their lords, to
whom they paid chiefries, as Cork did to the crown. Their independence
was probably, like that of Cork, conferred or continued by their early owners
as the most expedient policy.
(1) Rot. Cane. (2 ib.)
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XXXlll
coasts. Yet the latter were generally prosperous and powerful, while
the towns of Ireland were comparatively poor and weak. In 1 38 1 ,
Cork was so impoverished by its lawless neighbours, that some
of the principal citizens resolved to go away : and it was found
necessary that the mayor and bailiffs should forcibly detain them
for the defence of the city. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of towns
were not unpractised in military expeditions : they were usually
called on to attend hostings; and in some instances, as iu
those of Dublin and Drogheda, fomied the most effective part
of the armies of government. Hence it is not easy to account
for their unhappy condition. We might suppose that they
would have engaged in military expeditions on their own ac-
count, and have advanced in power and importance like the
Grecian colonies. Government, which showered privileges and
favours on them, as the bulwarks of its own power, would hardly
have denied its approbation to the reduction, by every means,
of the common enemies of both ; and yet we have met with
only one instance since the arrival of the English, of a warlike
expedition having been fitted out by any town on its own account,
and at its own discretion. In 1537, the city of Waterford des-
patched a naval armament, consisting of three vessels and four
hundred men, against the castles of O'Driscol, a chieftain of this
county, and without much difficulty succeeded in reducing and
destroying them. They also destroyed his villages, and ravaged
his lands, set fire to his town of Baltimore and broke down another
of his castles there, and returned with some booty to Waterford.
Their sole aim however was retaliation for outrages committed
against one of their trading vessels. They seem to have had no
ulterior object, no hope of conquest or permanent acquisition.
A Greek city in such a case would probably have repaired and
garrisoned the castles, and made them the citadels of colonies; or
would at least have continued to amass wealth by similar naval
enterprizes, until the resources and magnitude of their state,
secure within walls, should have so far encreased, as to enable
them to meet the barbarians in the field. Such expeditions however
in order to be profitable, should be extended like those of the early
Greeks to distant and unobnoxious quarters. This to be sure would
be mere piracy, the expediency or propriety of which, perhaps the
towns of Ireland did not comprehend ; and as they never gained
4
XXXIV INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
power by such means, land enterprizes continued always to exceed
their ability. Sometimes indeed they could issue from their walls
■with effect. In 1571, the mayor of Cork gained a victory at the
head of the citizens, for which the queen presented him with a
collar of S S. As to the walled towns of the inland parts, they
were all destroyed in a terrible invasion of Murrough O'Brien,
about the reign of Edward IV. Among them were Mourne and
Buttevant, two ancient corporations.
The land which anciently belonged to the citizens of Cork, was
in 1462, understood to extend a mile "from both parts" of the
city. So much at all events had then remained to them. It was
called " the suburbs" ; but had some years before been totally laid
waste by the Irish; in consideration of which, the king forgave
them all arrears of rent, and granted them a certain custom called
cocquet, for rebuilding their walls ; and this they were to receive
until they could travel a mile round the city in safety.
In the middle ages, the cities of Europe were agitated by violent
intestine factions. Within their walls stood many castles, in
which the principal citizens resided, and which were built for
security against sudden ebullitions of popular violence. We find
no account of a similar state of things in our cities and towns.
Yet we know that John Skiddy, in 1 445, built in the main street
of Cork, the castle called after his name. It was a large high
tower similaj- to those of the country, and remained until 1785.*
It is hardly possible that the citizens could quite so soon have
been divided by the claims of York and Lancaster, which some
years afterwards aroused all Ireland. However, in 1492, the city
of Cork, very imprudently took the lead in support of Perkin
Warbeck. The result was, that Walters, a principal citizen, was
summoned to Dublin by the Irish parliament, was there seized,
sent to London, tried and executed. The city was involved in
* We have seen the will of Edward Roche, merchant of Cork, made in
1626, which bequeathes "the small castle called the Parentiz, in the city of
Cork." What sort of building this may have been we are unable to say;
but there seems no reason to conclude with Mr. Crofton Croker, that stone
houses were called castles, except in Ulster, where we have heard that the
castles built in accordance with the conditions of king James Ist's grants, were
merely houses with bawus.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XXXV
the disgrace, but goverumeut considered it expedient very soon
to restore its privileges.
In Queen Elizabeth's time this city was a populous little trading
town, of an oval form,(l) inferior in size to Dublin, Watcrford, or
Limerick, ('-) encompassed with the channel of the river, which
also crossed it, and not accessible except by bridges ; " lying along
as it were in one direct street, with a bridge over it. '"(3) Its port
was much frequented by strangers, both for the advantage of
fishing in the harbour, and for the purposes of trade, by which
the city was chiefly maintained. (4) The inhabitants were very
industrious and pretty opulent ;(o) they were merchants, and
great travellers themselves ; and great numbers also of strange
merchants daily resorted to Cork, to trade with them. The City
was walled round about and well fortified for defence against the
Irish. (G) The inhabitants were so beset with enemies on all
sides, that they were obliged to watch their gates day and night,
as if they were besieged,(7) keeping them shut at service times,
at meals, and from simset to sunrise ; not suiFering any stranger
to enter with his weapon, but obliging him to leave it at a lodge
appointed: "they walked out at seasons for recreation, with
strength of men furnished: "'(8) the mayor and bailiffs governed
according to the laws of England. Hooker seems to insinuate
that this was the cause of the hostility of the surrounding country ;
however this may be, the citizens kept themselves entirely aloof
from their neighbours, and married entirely among themselves,
never even matching their daughters in the country; almost all the
citizens were consequently related in some degree or other :(9)
particular suniames became so frequent, that those who bore them
were additionally designated by patronymics fomied of the syllable
" fitz". Those of similar names were a species of clans, acting
together in bodies, and forming separate interests. In 1603, the
Meades and Golds insisted on refusing the lord lieutenant an
entrance into the city. The Galways, Verdons, and Martels
opposed them.
(1) Camden. (2) Stanihurst. (3) Camden. (4) Hooker. (5) Staiiiluirst.
(G) Hooker. (7) Hooker, Camden, Campioa. (8) Campion.
(9) Campion, Camden.
XXXVl INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
The reluctance of the citizens to ally themselves with the inhabi-
tants of the country, is exactly in accordance with the feelings of the
pale, where the meanest of the English race disdained the alliance
of the greatest Irish families. (1) Nothing can more clearly shew
the difference of the degrees of civilization, which prevailed in
the towns and in the country ; yet such is the perverseness of
human nature, that the heads of extensive families in the city of
Cork, even when merchants, affected the absurd title of " captains
of septs," ( capitaneus SUCH nation'is), and are so designated in
deeds of that period. (2)
The barbarous lives of the gentry of the county, whom the citi-
2ens despised, naturally by contrast rendered trade most honourable
among the latter. The principal citizens though mostly merchants,
were owners of extensive estates in the country, on which, it is need-
less to say, they never resided, but dwelt in the town, both for the
sake of security and society, and the prosecution of their mercan-
tile avocations, which they doubtless regarded as most honourable,
as well as profitable, not perhaps, (at least in their own estimation,)
unlike the inhabitants of Tyre, " whose merchants were princes,
whose traffickers were the honourable of the earth."
Though they avoided intermarriages with the inhabitants of the
countiy, they received the inhabitants of other towns as their equals.
There seem to have been intimate connexions and interchanges of
citizenship between the townsmen of Cork and Kinsale : many
principal families of both places bore the same surnames ; as
Galway, Martel, Roche, Meade, &c. There is a latin inscription
in the chancel of Kinsale church, placed there in 1558 by Patrick
Mede, who there describes himself as a burgess and often sover-
eign of Kinsale, and citizen of Cork. Sir Dominick Sarsfield,
chief justice, was of a Cork family; yet when created a viscount,
chose the title of Kinsale ; which however being preoccupied, he
was obliged to forego for that of Kilmallock. Meadestown and
Ballymartle, the estates of the Meades and Martels, lay between
Cork and Kinsale. The Roches had large estates near Kinsale,
and also in the city of Cork, which came by descent from them to
the Kearneys, together with the collar of S S. before mentioned,
given by Queen Elizabeth to Maurice Roche, mayor of Cork,
(1) Stanihuvst. (2) Roehc MS.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XXXVll
Some of these families had castles on their estates, as Meades-
town, a castle of the Meades: Pouhielong or Shippool castle,*
huilt by the Roches ; Garrycloyne castle belonging to the Sarsfields
viscounts Kilmallock. These castles were probably necessary for
the protection of the tenants and cattle of the estates ; but we are
not to conclude that they v/ere the usual residences of their owners,
who, as citizens, must have despised the barbarism of the country,
and preferred the society of the towns. This conclusion is sup-
ported by a manuscript list of the ancient natives and inhabitants
of the city of Cork, drawn up in 1652, f among whom we find
Daniel, viscount Kilmallock, the owner of Garrycloyne castle, and
John Meade, of Meadestown. Yet peace and security had prevailed
in the country for many years previous to 1641. The estates of the
others are not mentioned. William Meade, esq. , is named in the list.
lie was probably the same person who is mentioned in the peerages
as the ancestor of the earl of Clanwilliam, and as being the owner of
an estate called Ballintobber, near Kinsale, on which, however, it
appears by this list, he did not think fit to reside. We may take this
opportunity to observe, that the investigation of family history is
of more use than is commonly supposed ; it often contributes to
throw liglit on the history of mankind and human nature ; we
have endeavoured to press it into our service ; but our materials
are very scanty. We would earnestly urge our countrymen, on
* Shippool castle is a strong building; its walls are G feet thick, and
terminate in gables : ithasa Vav^c machicolatcil projection atone of the corners,
not at the top as was usual afterwards, but towards the mi<klle ; it shews a
slight transition from the ancient, to the more modena and convenient style
of castles. In our account of these buildings, we omitted the Anglo Norman
style, familiar to the first English invaders. We believe that the county of
Cork contains only one specimen of it; at least only one that is on a scale of
strength and magnitude equal to that of the Norman keeps. It is Lohort
castle, built in the reign of king John, the walls of which are 10 feet thick.
Those who wish for a full account of this sort of building, may consult King's
treatises in the "Archceologia."
f The Roman Catholic inliabitants of Cork were expelled from the city
in 1641. The above list contains their names, many of which arc distin-
guished by one of these marks, "in" or "o," meaning doubtless in or out,
that is, in or out of the city — in (wc presume) the year 1G52.
XXXVm INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
all occasions to collect and preserve from destruction, such ancient
documents as may fall in their way ; they are peculiarly valuable
in this country, where the revolution of manners has been so
recent and remarkable. It would be a great advantage if the
early wills in the registry of Cork were copied into books, and
open to the public : they commence in 1606. It is much to be
regretted, that the labours of the record commissioners in Ireland
have been suspended. This work has derived great advantage
from their publications.
Sir Henry Sidney made a jouniey through the kingdom in
1567; and from his letters to the English government, we learn
many particulars regarding the condition of the towns at that time.
The county of Tipperary was then in a state of devastation, and
its corporate and well walled towns, Clonmel, Cashel, and Fethard
in great distress : their inhabitants were as men besieged, and
ready either to famish within the walls, or abandon the places ; all
trade and commerce was at a stand ; the country people dared not
bring any thing to the towns, nor dared the townsmen issue from
their walls, to buy any thing in the country, from the danger
which both incurred of being plundered and killed. Of Cork,
Youghal and Kinsale, he tells us that they were greatly impaired and
in the high way to utter ruin, if her majesty, by speedy redress and
ministering of justice did not prevent it. Limerick was so impaired
in wealth since he saw it in queen Mary's reign, chiefly by reason
of the spoils committed or permitted by the earl of Thomond, as to
fill him with astonishment. Galway he fovmd rather to resemble
" a town of war, frontering upon an enemy, than a civil town in a
country under one sovereign": "they watch," says he, "their
walls mightily, and guard their gates daily, with armed men."
They attributed their miseries to the disorders of the earl of Clan-
rickard's two sons, young boys, (whom he had by two wives both
living,) each striving to be acknowledged as heir of his father, who
at the same time was likely long to live.
However, the towns seem not to have been prevented from im-
proving with the rest of Europe in civilization and internal order.
Stanihurst, in his account of the Irish, desires the reader not to
impute any barbarous custom he should mention, to the citizens,
townsmen, and inhabitants of the English pale ; and Sidney calls
them nurseries of civilitv.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XXXIX
Amidst the jipqietual disaffection of the surrounding country,
tlie loyalty of the towns continued unshaken. Sidney, speaking
of the towns of Tipperary, says, "these towns (not only these now
in speech) but all others, n-hcresoever the)j he in this realm, are
your highness' forts and garrisons, and yet they cost you nothing
the keeping of them, but rather render unto you service and rent.
They are in effect the only monuments of obedience, and nurseries
of civility in this country, to the overthrow of which all the tyran-
nous potentates and licentious subjects of this your realm apply
their uttermost endeavour, as the only obstacles against their out-
rageous devices" : It is manifest from this, that the Irish en-
couraged the murders and robberies which were committed on
townsmen and all who attempted to trade with them, as a means
of bringing them to ruin, being unable to reduce them by force.
Sidney was received and entertained in a very honourable manner
by the city of Waterford : he found it in a flourishing state ; the
people civil and industrious. These were the natm^al results of the
reduction some time before, of the lords of the county to some
order ; whom however Sidney found inclined to relapse and ready
as he expresses it, to play the part of the washed swine in returning
to her foul puddle.
He tells us that Cork, Youghal, and Kinsale were walled, and
places of great moment for her majesty's service, and that the
king of Spain with 3000 men and £20,000, could dispossess her of
all Munster and Connaught, or oblige her to employ 20,000 men
and £200,000, to recover and defend them ; and earnestly recom-
mends to her, to take care " for the conservation of her towns, as
the loss of them would be the loss of the whole country.''
Going from Cork to Limerick, he met further instances of the
loyalty of the towns : being in danger from the earl of Desmond's
men, he received from the town of Kilmallock, a reinforcement of
eight or nine score of well appointed footmen ; and was soon after
joined by three hundred more, whom the city of Limerick sent to
meet him: "This partly I write," says he, "to the end your
majesty should have regard to these your towns ; they are the only
force that your majesty hath to tmst to out of the English pale of
this your realm."
In 1 575, he made another progress through the kingdom, and
on this occasion also was well pleased with the loyalty of the towns;
Xl INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
his letter expresses gratitude to the city of Waterfortl, praises their
loyalty, and recommends them to the lords of the council, as
deserving of thanks and favor. He vi^as in fact received with the
utmost enthusiasm, as we learn from Hooker, who also tells us
that he was received hy the city of Cork in the best manner the
citizens could, ''with all humbleness, and with all such triumphs
and other shews and tokens of good will and dutifulness, as they
could give, without grudging or complaining,either of the townsmen
or soldiers." Sidney also represents the loyalty and devotion of
Cork and Limerick, as entitling them to equal favor with Water-
ford; "for truly," says he, "they are pieces of great regard,
and greatly shall their willingness to serve the government here,
advance the service of our sovereign."
The towns however, were more led by i*egard for their interest,
than by any feeling of duty ; they received Sidney perhaps rather
as a sort of ally, than as their sovereign's viceroy. The state of the
country shewed them his weakness ; but though his power was
small, it was useful for their j)rotection, in combination with their
own : had they been more powerful, they might themselves have
kept their lawless neighbours in check, and if successful, would
probably have thought it strange that go\ernment should expect
any obedience from those whom it failed to protect ; but now they
required assistance, and they received it with that gratitude which
an oppressed state always exhibits towards a useful ally.
Towns thus left in a great degree to themselves, and regulated
internally by the republican government of their corporations,
surrounded by barbarian lords whom they despised ; seeing nothing
of the power of the crown, and little of its interference, and that
little conducing only to their advantage, and exercised doubtless
with a careful deference to their good wills and pleasures, must
needs have entertained very stubborn notions of rights and liberties,
probably even from the Danish times, without interruption. —
History has preserved a remarkable instance in the case of Water-
ford. This city was by charter exempted from attending hostings,
unless the king or any of his sons were present in person. In 1569
Sidney being encamped near Clonmel, and expecting a battle,
wrote to the corporation of Waterford, requiring the assistance of
a few soldiers only for three days, "who," says Hooker, "did
very insolently and arrogantly return an answer by way of dispu-
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. xU
ling tlieir liherlies with her majesty's prerogative, and so sent him
no aid at all." This occurred in the interval between the two
loyal receptions given to Sidney at Waterford, and was so little
imputed to disloyalty by him, that he makes no mention of it, nor
does it at all abate his gratitude to this city, for its zealous attach-
ment during his second sojourn there. Even Hooker allows the
citizens the full merit of their loyalty in their reception of the
lord deputy ; but seems unable to comprehend how loyalty and
the assertion of rights by the subject, could be compatible. After
giving an account of their privileges by charter, rewards granted
to their meritorious ancestors, he proceeds to make allusion to
their refusal of soldiers, and warns them " to continue in the like
obedience as their ancestors; otherwise not to brag of their worthi-
ness, or glory of their values ; that it woidd little avail them ; and
then adduces the example of the Jews, who were visited with
judgments for disobedience to their princes ; warns them not to
examine their prince's authority, nor decipher his power, nor
compare their privileges with his authority, nor dispute their
liberties with his prerogative; "for notwithstanding," says he,
"your privileges, liberties, and grants be great and many, yet
they cannot abate nor impugn the least part of the prince's pre-
ixigative, which is so great as nothing can be greater ; * * *
because he is God's minister, especially when it concemeth the
interest of her majesty's imperial crown of that land, the suppres-
sion of rebels and traitors, and the delivering of yourselves and that
realm from the enemies and rebels."
Cities capable of displaying so much firmness on occasions of
this sort, could hardly fail to exhibit a similar spirit through their
representatives in parliament. In 1568, an act was passed gi-anting
the queen a subsidy of 13s. 4d. for every occupied plowland in the
kingdom, except the lands belonging to the corporations of Dublin,
Cork, Limerick, and Waterford. This exemption seems to
indicate more than common activity and influence on the part
of their members. The counties which elected members, were
greatly mider the authority of a territorial aristocracy, most for-
midable to government ; yet if we can judge from some of Sidney's
expressions, the lesser gentry of the pale at least were men of
independence. In 1569, the queen, at the instance of the earl
of Orniond, required Sidney to further the passing of an act of
5
xlii INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
parliament for tlie interest of the carl, but unjust towards his
tenants. Sidney seemed sadly perplexed ; he says, " In this I will
not hinder any bill, that he, (Ormond), shall put up ; but many
gentlemen, that have lands of his in the English pale, in fee-farai
and otherwise, think themselves narrowly touched in this ; and
therefore I judge the bill will hardly pass ; but if it pass not, I
know not how to compel them."
Over parliaments freely returned by such constituencies, govern-
ment could have little authority ; but by having in its own hands
the selection of sherifls, it could directly influence the returns.
In the parliament of the second of Elizabeth, the laws against
Roman Catholics, v.'ho formed almost the whole population of the
kingdom, were carried after a violent opposition, and by means of
whose nature we may form some conjecture from what took place
in the subsecpient parliament of 1570.
Sir Henry Sidney, a governor of great vigoiu', had concei'\"ed
the design of proceeding against the Irish with more effect than
his predecessors had done, and of reducing them to some order
and obedience. The supplies which he was allowed from England
were totally inadequate for such an object ; but being resolved on
his favourite measures, he determined also that resources should
not be wanting. As to the means by which these were to be
procured, he was not over scrupulous. The difliculties which he
had to contend with were of no ordinary kind ; for besides that his
military operations were on a more extensive and vigorous scale
than those of his predecessors, the prices of provisions had greatly
risen of late. However, supplies were to be obtained at all hazards ;
and as he considered his projects well adapted to procure solid
advantages for the loyal portion of the people, he was unable to
understand how they could object to any course which he should
adopt for the furtherance of such salutary designs. He at first
succeeded in persuading the people of the pale to support the
army, by assurances of ultimate payment of their expenses ; but
receiving no aid from the queen, he was imable to make good his
promises. "lam" says he, " hated of all here ; of the nobility,
for deposing their tyranny ; of the merchant, for that by my per-
suasion he hath so far trusted the soldiers, as not receiving his
money is become bankrupt, (and indeed so are some); of the
gentleman, for that he cannot get his rent of his tenants, through
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. xliii
tlieir keeping of soldiers ; the husbandmen cry out of me, and will
do no work, for that they are never paid for so long bearing the
soldiers. "(1)
It had been usual to support the army and the expenses of the
chief governor's household by a contribution known by the name
of cess. This was somewhat similar to wliat was called in En-
gland, purveyance, with however an important difference: purvey-
ance was a prerogative of the crown to take provisions for the use
of the army, at prices fixed before the discovery of America, and
far below their real value ; while cess was a voluntary sale of
provisions at prices annually agreed on between government and
the nobility and gentry of the pale. In the reign of Henry VI.,
purveyance had been made illegal in Ii'eland, by act of parliament.
It was declared that resistance to purveyors should be lawful, and
that the quartering of men or horses on the king's subjects without
their consent, should be accounted treason. However, in order
to protect the government from the extortions of farmers in times
of emergency, a custom had arisen for the nobility and gentry to
fix annually the prices which government should pay, and this
had always been acquiesced in by the farmers. But as this
only afforded pix)tection from extortion, or at best conferred but
moderate advantages on the government, it was little valued by
Sidney in his present exigencies, and he forthwith proceeded to
place cess on the same footing with the English system of purvey-
ance ; that is, to take supplies of provisions, not at prices to be fixed
in the usual manner, but at those which formerly had been agreed
to before the late rise of prices : The people resisted, the army was
consequently ill supplied, and became disorderly. " It was," says
Sidney, " the price growing higher, and the soldier more insolent
in exactions on the poor famiers, that provoked this kicking and
spurring.''(2) "It must be confessed," says he, " that soldiers
are no angels, nor yet among men the harmlest creatures. "(3)
His plans thus failing through the opposition of the pale,
he hoped to derive support from the authority of parliament,
which comprized members from other parts of the kingdom ; but
in order if possible to ensure success, he judged it necessary that
the repugnance of the representatives from the pale should be
(1) Sidney's letters, p. 13. (2) ib. p. 152. (3) ib. p. 181.
Xliv INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
neutralized by a supply of obsequious members from other parts.
The distant corporations were, as we have seen, iu a manner
isolated from the rest of the kingdom : their attention was confined
to the free government of their little local communities ; and as
they regarded the lords of the county as their implacable enemies,
so they seem as yet to have regarded the government as invariably
their friend. Between them there had been hitherto no conflicting
interests, no political jealousies ; they had for centiuies been the
natural allies of each other, against English rebels and Irish
enemies; the penal laws were as yet unexecuted, and perhaps
unknown, or despised as impracticable in their localities. From
all these causes the towns entertained no apprehensions of encroach-
ments on their liberties ; they knew little probably of the general
politics of the kingdom, and took little interest in the subject of
legislation. The custom, expensive at that time, of sending
representatives to parliament, was by them esteemed a burthen
from which they were not unwilling to be excused ; the journey to
Dublin was difficult and dangerous, and they considered it a boon
to be allowed to return as their representatives strangers resident
in that city. It was indeed contrary to law to return any person
to parliament, who was not a resident of the town which returned
him; but this law had generally, at least in England, and proba-
bly also in Ireland, been evaded, or had fallen into some disuse,
and this circumstance afforded Sidney an opportunity in a great
degree to mould a parliament in accordance with his wishes. He
contrived,* (doubtless in a great degree through the agency and
management of sheriffs,) that Englishmen should sit as represen-
tatives for many of the corporate towns, men who had acquired in
their own country very abject notions on the subject of the prero-
gative, and were therefore fit instruments for his purpose. His
efforts however were unable to influence the elections within the
pale, where his views were understood. The members returned by
that portion of the kingdom seem to have been quite aware of his
object, and prepared for a conflict : they were probably sensible of
the means by which the penal laws had been lately enacted, in
opposition to the wishes of the nation ; means which may have
* That Sydney was the coutiiver of this proceeding may be inferred from
the iudinnation which it rui»ed against his government.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. xlv
been similar to those now used. As these means consisted in the
mwrepresentatiou of the distant cities and towns of the kingdom,
inchiding, as may be presumed, those of the county of Cork, it
becomes interesting to us to know how far Sidney's contrivance
was attended with success.
The parhament met on the 17th January 1570, and proceeded
quietly to the election of a speaker. The government party put
forward Stanihurst, recorder of Dublin, and succeeded in opposi-
tion to the others, who would have chosen sir Christopher
Baruewall. On the following day the opposition finding that they
were likely to be outnumbered, opposed the introduction of general
business, until the legality of the elections should be considered.
Barnewall their leader, whom Hooker admits to be somewhat
learned, stated their objections ; first, that towns not corporate,
returned members ; secondly, that some sherifis and mayors
returned themselves ; and thirdly, that a number of English
strangers were returned by towns, some of whom were wholly
unknown in the places which returned them, and none residing as
by law required. These questions were discussed for four days :
neither party would yield: "the more words the more choler,"
says Hooker. At last they agreed to refer the questions to the lord
deputy and judges. These functionaries admitted the two first
objections, but disallowed the third, affirming that the proper
course was to impose penalties on the sheriffs. This decision,
from the great numbers of English present, seemed to have still
left the opposition in a minority. That party remaining dissatisfied
and disbelieving the messenger, Lucas Dillon the attorney-general,
was sent to re-assure them ; but he being, as we shall find, a high
prerogative lawyer, received no credit, and the opposition insisted
that the judges themselves should come before them and declare
their opinions in person. The speaker disregarded their demand,
and ordered a bill to be read. The opposition would not allow it to
proceed, but " rose up in a disordered manner,'' says Hooker, far
differing from their duties in that place, and as contrary to that
gravity and wisdom which should be hi them." And yet, with
submission to Hooker, there has not been even at the present day
any other mode settled, by which an illegal majority, returned by
corrupt sheriffs, can be resisted ; for government can appohit
sherifis as corru[)t as they please, and an illegal majority, being the
xlvi INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
sole judges, can prevent their returns from being questioned. Ou
the next day to pacify the opposition, the two chief justices, the
queen's Serjeant, and the attorney and solicitor-general, came and
gave their confirmation to the decision. There were however
lawyers in the house who differed with them in opinion ; and
though the opposition were silenced for the present, they soon
manifested their discontent in other ways.
The government party proceeded with two bills, one for the
repeal of Poyning's act for that session ; and the other for granting
an impost on wines. These bills met with a violent resistance ;
Poyning's act had been passed for the pui-pose of obstructing
native lord lieutenants in using the power of government, to
procure the enactment of laws for their own purposes. It provided
that no act should be passed without the previous concuiTcnce of
the council in England, and therefore by refusing its temporary
repeal, the opposition threw difficulties in the way of all bills not
already certified from England. Their resistance proved success-
fvil, and the other bill was then brought forward. It met with
similar treatment, but at last was read. "In this matter," says
Hooker, "they shewed themselves veryfroward, and so unquiet
that it was more like a bear-bating of disordered persons, than a
parliament of wise and grave men." This however is irreconcila-
ble with what follows, for he tells vis that when he saw " these
foul misorders and overthwarting," he stood up and prayed liberty
to speak to the bill ; and ample liberty it appears was given him
and a patient hearing. He began with a preface of some length,
then taxed them with ingratitude to the queen ; told them that the
repeal of Poyning's law which they refused was for their own good,
and that as to the other bill which they so disliked, her majesty of
her own royal authority might establish it without any of their
consents, as she had already done in England ; but that of her
courtesy she pleased to have it pass with their consents, that she
might have trial of their dutifulness. He then taxed them with
ingratitude to the lord deputy. Notwithstanding these foolish
reproaches and slavish doctrines the parliament patiently allowed
him to proceed, when he produced various instances from history
of judgments on ungrateful nations, and pronounced that the like
would fall on them to their confusion ; "and when," according to
his own account, "he had spent a long time in this matter, and
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. xlvii
proved the same by sundry histories of other nations, he proceeded
to the bill, which by sundry reasons and arguments he proved to
be most necessary." He then sat down, and some of the opposi-
tion rose for the purpose of replying; "but the day was so far
spent above the ordinary hour, being well near two o'clock in the
afternoon, that the speaker and the court rose up and departed."
In all these proceedings we can perceive nothing resembling
" bear-bating."' The true character of the proceedings seems to
be this, that the opposition, apprehending that they would be
outnumbered by a majority, of whose legality they were not satis-
fied, endeavoured to prevent a division, by protracting the debate
indefinitely. Hooker's timidity however seems to have distorted
his mental vision. The indignant murmurs at his unconstitu-
tional doctrines, which reached his ear at the rising Of the house,
made him apprehensive for his personal safety ; and he was, he
tells us, " by some of the best of that assembly, (meaning perhaps
some of his English fellow courtiers,) conducted to the house of
sir Peter Carew," where he then resided; being agent to that
gentleman.
In the meantime the lord deputy, surprized at the long sitting
of the house, sent privately to ascertain the cause of it ; but the
doors had been closed by direction of the speaker, in order that
Mr. Hooker's speech should meet no interruption from any persons
coming in or going out ; and when the events of the day were aftei*-
wards commimicated to the lord deputy, he thanked God, says
Hooker, who had raised up unknown friends to him in that place.
The next day sir Clii'istopher Barnewall and the lawyers of the
English pale, who (according to Hooker's assertion,) had conferred
together, stood up and desired a hearing, " who," says our author,
*' leaving the matter in question, did in most disorderly manner
inveigh against the said gentleman, affirming, avouching and
PROTESTING, THAT IF THE WORDS SPOKEN HAD BEEN SPOKEN IN
ANY OTHER PLACE THAN IN THE SAID HOUSE, THEY WOULD
RATHER HAVE DIED THAN HAVE BORNE WITHAL ; UpOU whicll
the speaker, supported by the government party, imposed silence
on them, and required that if they had any charge to make
against Mr. Hooker, they should bring it in writing the next day.
According to our present ideas, the disorderly conduct of these
members consisted in their too onlcrbj forberance in postponing
Xlviii INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
their charges, instead of interrupting Hooker tlie day before in
the midst of his opinions, so derogatory to the rights and dignity
of the house. But the rules of order were not then settled, either
in England or Ireland. The government party pressed the
speaker to apply a remedy to what they were pleased to consider
disorders. The speaker proceeded to do so, and choosing to be
guided in this, by the usages of the English parliaments, requested
instruction regarding them, which was immediately volunteered
by Hooker, but without supplying any thing much to the purpose.
This very prejudiced and unprincipled writer gives us no
further account of this parliament than as follows. " The monday
following, sir Christopher Barnewall and his complices having
better considered themselves, were quiet and contented, and the
parliament begun with some troubles, had its continuance and
end with better success." The two contested bills were passed
in subsequent sessions ; whether any propositions of the govern-
ment were altogether rejected, we are not directly infonued: nor
was Hooker a person likely to infomi us ; he shews on all occasions
a remarkable anxiety to throw a veil over the miscarriages of
government. His words "better success," however, seem to imply
very moderate approbation ; and from Sidney's speech on dissolving
the parliament, as reported by Campion, there is great reason to
believe that this assembly concurred in the general sentiments
regarding cess ; disapproved of his proclamation on that subject as
illegal, and declined to furnish him with any supplies by way of
substitute for cess, to enable him to reduce the Irish countries,
being satisfied with the present extent of English dominion, and
persuaded that the marchers were as well able to repel the
Irish, as those of England were, to repel the Scotch borderers. It
appears also from Campion that a pamphlet had been dispersed in
the streets of Dublin, impugning the cess, and attacking several
members of the government by name for their conduct in the
matter; upon which Sidney issued some proclamation of an
offensive nature, which produced a general ferment, as is evident
from his expressions. " Many a good fellow," said he, " talks of
Eobin Hood, that never drew in his bow, and many an idle head
is full of proclamations, and conceiveth certain far fetches, able
hi his ivccning to wield a realm.'''' This was on the 12th of
December 1570, Sidney left Ireland in Slarch following.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. xlix<
'J'his parliament renewed for ten years from September 1566,
a subsidy which had been granted for a like period in the preceding
reign, of 1 3s. 4d. on every plowland. The words of the act strongly
confirm the inferences w'hich we have drawn from Sidney's speech,
and make it manifest that tlie commons interfered to prevent his
irregular exactions, which they call by the odious name of coyne
and livery. The subsidy was renewed, as the act expresses it, for
joy that he had put in suspense "that grievous and intolerable
exaction of coyne and livery, the fretter of our lives and substance ;
and in consideration to be henceforth delivered from it." Coyne
and livery were oppressive Irish exactions, repeatedly declared
illegal by parliament, but often put in practice by the government
in cases of emergency, and submitted to, from the extreme
necessity of the case. But the pale had lately enjoyed comparative
peace and prosperity, (1) and saw no present necessity for irregular
taxation. Sidney's taking provisions without payment, in fact
amounted to coyne and livery. At all events the parliament by
adopting these temis, covertly made his conduct appear in the
most odious light. Yet, the act, adopting the terms of the
former one, exempted from the subsidy, cmd from coyne and
Iwenj, those lords and gentlemen who were obliged to attend
hostings.
He resumed the government in 1575, determined to adhere to
his former policy ; and without resorting to parliament, whose
support was not likely to be obtained, he vigorously renewed his
compulsory exactions. As the events which resulted are of great
interest, and as they are very carelessly treated by the historians,
we shall without apology present the reader with a more particular
account of them than has hitherto been afforded.
He first proceeded to impose a tax on the land in lieu of cess,
and as he met opposition, and apprehended that complaints of his
conduct would reach the queen, he chose to anticipate his accusers,
and wrote to inform her of the discontent, representing artfully
that the cess was a prescriptive payment in kind for support of
soldiers, stating also the number of beeves &c., required by
custom, but making no mention of a price or of any payment to
bemade in return and then proceeds. "If the inhabitants be suitors
(1) Campion.
6
1 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
to compound and deliver money in lien of the grain and beeves,
that then there is no more demanded of them than such rates and
prices as the market yieldeth." Here then, instead of supplying
grain, beeves, Szc. at the market price, they were compelled to pay
the market price of so much grain, beeves, &c. But this repre-
sentation could not long be supported, and he soon after gave the
matter another colouring; he vv'rote thus ; " cess is a prerogative
of the prince, and an agreement and consent by the nobility and
council to impose upon the coiuitry a certain proportion of victual
of all kinds at a reasonable rate, and as it is c-ommonly termed, the
queen's price ; so that the falling and rising of prices makes the
matter easier or heavier to tlie subject." " The soldier,"' says he,
"could not pay above the rate he did for his victual, and yet of
necessity he must be found at that price." Assuming thus, that
independently of all agreement, the farmers were bound to supply
the army for less than the market prices, Sidney required that
instead of so doing they should make certain pecuniary payments,
amounting, (as he represents it,) to live marks per plowland, or
about two pence per acre. But he met more difficulties than he
expected. The lawyers of Ireland were in general as zealous in
the assertion of public liberty as those of England were m its denial.
We have already observed the noble stand made by those of the
English pale in parliament. Most of the judges were of like prin-
ciples and gave great perplexity to Sidney,
Many of the nobility and gentry had, in pursuance of the
statute, obtained special freedoms from taxation, in consideration
of their attendance at hostings. Sidney now abolished these free-
doms by a proclamation, and proceeded to charge all the land
alike with cess. The statute was expired. It made no allusion
to cess, imless we take coin and livery to include it ; however,
Sidney obscurely argues that his right to cess was undoubted,
because the exemptions mider the statute were expired. The
matter became the subject of a formal legal argument ; Sidney in
his letter endeavours to make it appear that the question in
debate was whether the exemptions allowed by the statute were
still in force, notwithstanding its expiration. " It was adjudged
says he, by the lord chancellor {an Englishman,) and sir Lucas
Dillon, that they could not justly any longer claim any freedom
by force of said statute, none of the rest professing the laws
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 11
willingly agreed to that judgment, and yet not any of them all
able in learning nor reason to maintain probable argument to the
contrary.'Xl) He praises the lord chancellor for defending cess
more like a counsellor at the bar than a jndge on the bench,
and laments that the queen's counsel stood all the while still and
mute, and urges the sending over of two English lawyers to be
chief justice and attorney-general. (2)
The grounds on which the rest of the lawyers dissented,
seem to be kept out of view in these letters of Sidney ; but we
can easily collect from his subsequent letters, that they relied
on the before mentioned statutes of Henry VI, and on the
common law, which declared all taxes illegal without consent of
parliament. The perplexity which the judges gave Sidney appears
in a much earlier letter of his, (3) in which he desires that the queen
should send three lawyers, two to be chief justices, and one
attorney-general; 'this,' he says, "is so necessary, that if I should
Avrite a whole quire of paper only on this point, I were not able to
express the necessity of it ; but in few terms this I assure your
lordships, there is none here so meet for their places, as is to be
wished, only sir Lucas Dillon excepted, who is chief baron."
Dillon we may remember, was- attorney-genei'al at the time of the
parliamentary struggle.
The repining at the cess, he represents(4) to have been "stirred
up by certain busy headed lawyers and miscon tented gentlemen,
who bear not the burthen, but the farmers who would willingly
contribute if the gentlemen would suffer them." That the farmers
however were the first impugners of cess is evident from the
expressions before quoted.* In another place too he says expressly
* He tries to support his misrepresentation by the instance of Mcath, where
he says the inhabitants were willing to contribute; but this was a frontier
county, where the inhabitants were greatly exposed to the inroads of the
Irish, and would of course be glad that all the pale should be taxed for their
defence. (5) In 1575, he says he found this county cursedly scorched on the
«utsiJc, and that most of the baronies of the borders of Westmeath were sore
spoiled. (G) Besides, these counties were accustomed to coutribute specially,
and had been therefore exempted from subsidy by the act.
(1; Sidney's letter, p. 152. (2) ib. p. 1G7. (3) ib. p. 109. (4) ib. p. 151.
(5) ib. p. 81. (G)ib. p. 81.
Hi INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
that the leaders acted upon an humour to plane the muItitude.iX)
Such are the inconsistencies of uncandid statenients.
There were two lawyers who distinguished themselves in this
struggle ; Scurlocke, (who had heen attorney-general, but had
been displaced in lord Sussex's government, according to Sidney,
for negligence and wilfulness, or what others perhaps would call
independence,) and Netterville, whose father had been a second
justice of one of the courts. Scurlocke threatened the sheriff of
Meath, that if he should levy any cess at the command of the lord
deputy or otherwise, he would indict him of treason. Netterville
went about denouncing cess as illegal, and asserting that such and
such noblemen agreed with him in opinion ,C^) not perhaps with
perfect tiaith, for lord Slane afterwards disclaimed his assertion
as to him.
Sidney held a conference with the malecontents, and endeavoured
to bend them to his views by persuasion ; representing the
necessity of cess, and the imreasonableness of their opposition ;
but his endeavours were wholly fruitless. * Then denied they flatly,'
says he, " that they would agree to any cess, alleging that it was
7viU, and contrary both to reason and law, to impose any charge
upon them without parliament or grand council. Finally they
said they were English * subjects, and if they could not have
remedy at my hands, they would seek it at your majesty's". (3)
* The vvonl " English," is used here, not in its ordinary sense, in reference
to England, but to the English pale, in contradistinction to the Irish countries,
as they were called, where the Brohon law was used, and where English law
and order being rejected, it was not thought fit that English rights should be
extended. The malecontents of the pale were well pleased that arbitrary
taxes should be imposed on these districts, and on one occasion declared that
the support of the army ought to be laid upon the Irish ; (4) doubtless because
it was the outrageous conduct of the Irish that rendered an army necessary.
On these accounts the word "Englishman" ordinarily meant one who was
entitled to use, and did use English law ; thus sir Henry CoUey, (whose
descendants have attained great note under the name of Wellesley,) was
called an Englishman, (5) though his family were Irish, as far as can be
traced. The peerages begin with his father, and presume that he was a native
of England ; but this is a mistake ; his grandfather, Robert Cowley, was
(1) Sidney's letters, p. 196. (2) ib. p. 17'J. (3) ib. p. 181.
(4) ib. 1st June, 1577. (j) Lodt:o'» peerage.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Hii
The nialecontents not doubting that the maxims of liberty were
as fmnly established in England as among themselves, resolved to
appeal to the queen. This they undertook with the fullest confi-
dence of success. They appointed as their agents the before
named Scurlocke and Netterville, with another lawyer named
Buniell, of whose character Sidney speaks very favorably, " but
for hln meddling with Iter uiajestij s prerogative y iS)
bailiff of Dublin in 1515 ;(2) he was afterwards a confidential servant of
the earl of Ossory or Ormond, as was also his son Walter Cowley. (3) Their
subsequent advancement was doubtless owing to the power and interest of
the Butler family. Robert continued in their service until about 1.537, when
he became master of the rolls in Ireland; but in 1542, king- Henry VIII.
wrote to the lord deputy and council, that Cowley was a man seditious and
full of contention and disobedience, and ordered him to be dismissed from his
office. Walter Cowley was made solicitor-general for Ireland ; but was
dismissed in 1546. The editors of the state papers observe that he was a tool
in the hands of chancellor Allen. He was for some time a prisoner in the
tower of London. His son Henry above mentioned, was knighted by sir'Henry
Sidney. Their family seems to have been settled in Ireland from remote
times : a John Cowley was made ganger of Ireland by Henry VII. John
Cowle, (probably the same person, as the final syllable ley is often in records
written ^e,) was commissioned in the reign of Henry VI., to provide bread,
wine, &c. for the table of the earl of Ormond, lord lieutenant of Ireland ; and
as far back as the reign of Edward III. Thomas CoUeye had a grant of the
office of ganger of w'ines for England, Ireland and Wales. (4)
The word servant, applied as above to the Cowleys, had formerly a very
different meaning from that which we at present attach to it. Hollinshed's
chronicler, who applies it to Robert Cowley, treats him at the same time as a
gentleman of weight and influence. The same author applies it to Thomas
Canon, secretary to Skeffiugtun the lord deputy. Sir Henry Sidney, writing
to his brother-in-law the earl of Leicester, mentions the kind reception given
to him at Kenil worth, by, (as he expresses it,) "my cousin Thomas Bloiint,
and other your lordship's servants there." Advising counsel were kept in
permanent service, at salaries or wages. (5) In an Irish statute, (6) mention
is made of William Overy esquire, servant to James, earl of Wiltshire and
Ormond. It is well known that great noblemen in England, at this time
affected the state of sovereign princes, and would allow none but gentlemen
by birth, to fill the offices of their household. The Cowleys seem to have been
of that class of the citizens of Dublin, who are complained of in the act 10th
(1) Sidncj's letters, p. 179.
(2) Ilollinshed. (3) State papers. (i) Rot. Cane.
(5) Iii>h act, lUth Hear} VII., chap. G. (G) ib. chap. 3.
liv INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
A large sum of money, (supposed to amount to £1000) was
subscribed for the expenses of the deputation, which was also
armed with letters of remonstrance, signed by one viscoimt, five
bai'ons, four knights, and nine gentlemen, in the name of the
English pale.
The queen referred the matter to her English council. At this
time, purveyance in its most oppressive form was in England an
established prerogative of the crown, and therefore, as might be
expected, the council considered that in this affair the prerogative
was attacked, and so reported, declaring their opinion that it must
be maintained.
We may conclude that the agents behaved with a boldness
unprecedented in England, for they were all committed to the
Fleet prison, and the queen wrote to Sidney, rebuking him for
his past forbearance, and ordering him to imprison all who should
persist in avowing that the cess was not warranted by the prerog-
ative. She also ordered him to displace "such of her learned
men as were present, and forebore to stand in maintenance of
her prerogative."
Sidney on receipt of these orders sent for the lords and gentlemen
who subscribed the letters, and some other persons whom he
suspected as promoters of the opposition. On appearing before
him, they behaved with all their former fearlessness. " They
affirmed boldly," says he,''" in 2^ lain speech, without any sticking,
that no cess could be imposed but by parliament or grand council,
and whatsoever was otherwise set down by us was against law.
He could not find, he says, any disposition in any one of them to
confer how to lessen the charge of cess, and make the burden more
of Henry VII., chap. 6, as hired retainers of great lords, and probably had
been so for some generations, as we find the above mentioned John Cowle or
Cowley was employed in the service of the same family of Butler. The
address used by the earl of Ossory was thus, " to my trusty servant Robert
Cowley," and once thus, " to my trusty and right loving councillors Robert
Cowley and Walter Cowley. Lord Butler wrote thus, " to my assured friend
Robert Cowley," and subscribed himself, "yourawne James Butler," yet
the above Robert Cowley wrote to Wolsey in ] 528, complaining that the office
of justice of the common-pleas in Ireland, was given to one Gerald Aylmer,
menial servant to the earl of Kildare, and that " other divers mean offices,"
were also given away. (1)
(1) State papers.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Iv
easy, "othenvise than in this sort, to have the cess totally taken
away, and referred to their considerations what they thought
good and expedient to be done therein at the next assembly of
parliament*'. (I) Upon this he committed them all to prison.
When the queen heard of their deportment, she sent for their
agents, and holding a similar conference with them, 'found them,'
says Hooker, " of like disposition, being as a fit cover to the pot,
very froward, arrogant and wilful," whereupon she removed them
from the Fleet to the tower, thereby intimating that their offence
was of the nature of high treason.
Sidney in a subsequent interview with his prisoners, found them,
(to use his own words,) bent in the end to a certain kind of more
arrogant wilfulness and stubborn stoutness, refusing to acknow-
ledge their offence, or confess their error, in impugning the prero-
gative ; though at a second examination he tells us they did both,
and that he, "marvelling at it, found in the end, it grew from some
of their complices that were committed in England ; and that he
found a letter from Netten'ille to lord Howth, which carried such
matter in their conceits, as made them all alter their fonner
opinions; and that as the writing was obscure, containing no good
meaning towards the lords of the council in England, he sent it
to them to have Netterville questioned as to its meaning. "(2)
In a letter to the queen, of the same date as that which contains
the foregoing, Sidney says only that some of these men made
submission, and to these he declared her majesty's commiseration,
but still as appears, kept them in confinement. That most of them
continued their " stubborn stoutness,"' is plain from other passages
particularly Waterhouse's letter, two months later, hereafter
quoted.
Previous to this, Sidney had brought many of the ignorant
Irish lords and degenerate English, to agree to pay an annual
rent to her majesty,(3) but now the earl of Desmond and other
lords of Munster finding thelegality of cess questioned in the pale,
began to apply the same reasoning to themselves and forthwith
declined to pay, or allow their tenants to pay any more rent.
The earl also shewed symptoms of a design to rise in rebellion :
a foreign reinforcement under James Fitz-]\Iaurice was expected.
(1) Skhiev's letters, p. 19G. (2) lb. p. 197. (3) ib. p. 183.
Ivi INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
Letters which arrived in England from Minister gave general
alarm. Some Irishmen who resided in England and attended
the court of the queen, and who were of such power and influence
that their concurrence in the cess was afterwards found indis-
pensable, plainly expressed their discontent at his proceedings.
These things, combined with the obstinacy of the prisoners in
Dublin castle, which still continued (though two months had
elapsed since Sidney had represented them to have expressed
contrition,) made some settlement of the cess question appear
of great importance in England. (1) Sidney's prudence was
impugned in detaining such personages in the castle. His
own opinion was that the public dangers would be lessened by
their detention. He was provoked at the cautious policy recom-
mended by many; (2) he endeavoiu-ed to persuade them that there
was no real danger to be apprehended from the leaders; that
the people would willingly have consented to the cess, had
not the lords forbidden them ; that when the latter were commit-
ted, " the people were ready with one voice to cry out upon them
for their resistance." This is hardly reconcileable with his former
assertion that ''the lawyers, to please the nmltitude, repaired to
complain," and "that it was the insolency of the soldiers, in
exactions on the poor farmers, that provoked this kicking and
spxirring." Indeed it is clear that the loyalty of the people was not
what Sidney relied on ; for he proceeds to say that even *' if they
and their factious sectaries would rebel, they dare not, as long as
there is an army here." However, it is probable the people did
so express themselves to Sidney, and laid the blame on the gi'eat
lords and gentry. Lying or wheedling, (as Moryson calls it,) was
at this time a characteristic vice of the Irish, and even at the
present day it is too prevalent among the lower classes. Sidney
probably believed them ; he knew that the loyalty of the inhabi-
tants of the pale was never questioned ; but as none of the govern-
ment party could comprehend how loyalty and constitutional
resistance were compatible, they could not avoid imputing a
rebellious disposition to the lords and gentry of the pale, and when
subsequent events proved their mistake, they exhibited a sort of
awkward amazement. Hooker's perplexity is ludicrous. After
(1) Waterhouse's letter to Sidney, in Sidney's letters, p. 210. Hooker.
(2) Sidney's letter to the earl of Leicester.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ivii
lU'tailing how widely the rebellion spread, he says ; " might it not
well be presumed (and as it was so doubted) that the cause being
like, they should also be combined and linked alike? and might
not the whole world judge that neither barrel was the better
lierring ? And vet notwithstanding, it fell in the end to a better
eftect; for the lords and inhabitants in the English pale, since the
time of the conquest by king Henry II, and since their first
arrival in this land, it hath not been lightly known that they had
broken their faith and their allegiance, and not to rebel in any wars
against the crown of England and the kings of the same, saving
now in respect to save their purses, rather than meaning any
breach of duty had overshot themselves. "(1)
However, the conduct of the malecontents did not appear in an
unfavourable light to all the English. The struggle seems in every
way to have excited attention among them. The resolution of
the prisoners in Dublin castle became a topic of conversation ; it
was told how they made a sport of their restraint ; and from the
faint glimmerings of constitutional feelings which made their
appearance about this time in England, we may fairly suppose that
an admiration of their heroism was there felt by many. The principle
of Sidney's measures began to be discussed : some even of his
friends declared their opinions against the cess : others openly
condemned him and his agents in England; and even those who
murmured only (2) at his imprudence, were yet a weight in the
scale of opposition.
Queen Elizabeth has been praised for not attempting to impose
taxes without consent of parliament; with how much justice
appears from these events. The truth is, the battle of the consti-
tution was fought in Ireland. These with other Irish events of
which no accounts have reached us, were in all probability the
original springs of those slight popular impulses, which appeared
at this time in the English parliaments. We have many striking
modern instances of the rapid and sudden transmission of demo-
cratic sympathies from one nation to another, on the occurrence of
particular events.
That the queen dreaded the contagion seems very likely; for in
the parliament which met in England almost immediately after
(1) Hooker. (2) Watcrliouse's leUcr to Sidney, in Sidney's letters, p. 210.
7
Iviii INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
the dissolution of that Irish assembly, in which the question of
non-residence of members in the places which returned them, was
so hotly discussed, a bill was brought in to legalize the ordinary
usage, it being of the utmost importance to the maintenance of
the queeru's influence in parliament, that obsequious courtiers
should be admissable as members, though non-residents of the
places which returned them. This bill met some opposition, but
was committed by a majority, after which it seems to have been
dropped, for what reason cannot now be known ; but the relation of
the two events in regard to time is remarkable. The discussion of
the cess question in England seems to have inspired the queen
with fear and caution. The Irish agents were now released from
the tower, a circumstance which must be attributed to a fear lest
the sympathy of the English should be aroused ; for it was done
on pretence of infection there, which was no good reason, as they
could have been removed to another prison.* So little intimidated
however, were they, that they immediately after came to court,
without asking for license, "for which rash part," says Waterhouse,
*'(the infection and offence considered,) Mr. Secretary gave them
such a welcome as they returned in post," but it was expected in
London that they and their adherents would shortly renew their
petition: 1 which shews that they had come to court for that purpose.
* It is remarkable that the energetic display of public spirit in the Irish
parliament of 1570, preceded, by about fifteen months the assembling of that
English parliament, in whose proceedings, according to Hume, we may
observe the faint dawn of the spirit of liberty among the English. A few of
its members shewed some resolution, but they met every discouragement from
the rest of the house; they proposed some changes in religious observan-
ces, and objected to restraints imposed on foreign trade ; but the queen
insisted that these subjects belonged to her prerogative, and must not be
treated of in parliament; and after prohibiting one member from attending in
the house, and severely reprimanding another for his temerity, she terrified
the whole body into an acquiescence in her pretensions. >Several subsequent
manifestations of impatience appeared in parliament during the reign of
Elizabeth, but were without much difficulty suppressed by that princess.
When we consider that one of the most prominent topics of discussion iu
the Irish parliament of 1570, was the presence of great numbers of Englishmen
in the house, and when we consider the constant presence of a small English
army in this country, it cannot seem strange that the spirit of liberty should
at this time, and perhaps some time before from similar causes, have been
(1) Waterhouse's letter.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. lix
Some sort of submission seems to have been made by the prisoners
in Dublin castle or some of them. Hooker, as may be expected,
represents it as full and final, and as a complete triumph of govern-
ment. But in whatever form it was made, it turned out mere
empty words, and the struggle began again. Sidney says, *' that
the lords, knights and gentlemen, after signing the submission,
making its way from Ireland into England. It is impossible to account
for its introduction in any other way. It could only arise, either from a
long and uninterrupted concurrence of fortuitous circumstances as in Ireland,
or from the gradual dissemination of philosophical writings on the subject, as
in France ; or from the example of another country. The two first causes had
then no existence in England ; but communication with Ireland was mani-
festly very extensive, and the example furnished there, was very striking and
quite adequate to produce a strong impression. It was a species of example
which more modern history has shewn to be remarkably influential. Little
more however, resulted from it in Elizabeth's reign, than the general discus-
sion of the subject, and occasional expressions of impatience in a very
humble and abject tone. It is not until the reign of her successor, that we
are to look for instances of much firmness in the commons. There had
occurred a little before her death, an important circumstance, which, judging
from a modern example, in all probability contributed greatly to promote the
introduction of free principles into England. The queen in 1599 sent an
army of twenty -two thousand men into Ireland, which continued there for
several years. We have all heard of the importation of republican principles
from America to France by the army, and it is not too much to suppose that
the army of the queen, one of the largest which had ever been levied iu
England, imbibed in Ireland new political ideas and doctrines and brought
them into England ; they fought side by side, and associated with the loyal
Irish, who were accustomed to speak without reserve of their rights and
liberties, and of their full resolution to maintain them, and who by their conduct
shewed that even under religious disabilities, a spirit of independence was
compatible with loyalty. They were not, it is true, engaged in a war on the
side of democracy; but the influence of conversation and political deportment
cannot have been less on that occasion, than in the more modern instance,
where a difference of language must have interposed almost insuperable
impediments to a communication of sentiments.
It is certain that the ancient constitution or rather law of England contained
valuable provisions for the liberty of the subject, but none for its security.
In England liberty had its rise before the existence of the house of commons.
To ensure its stability, it was necessarj-notonly that the houseof commonsshould
exist, but also that it should exercise a main weight and authority in the state,
without which liberty was only a temporary accident. That the house of com-
mons had ever, before the period of which we have been treating, possessed any
real weight, may fairly be questioned. When we find them remonstrating with
Ix INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
being called on to set down a cess for the next year, refused to
put their hands to the book of agreement, as they had agents in
England engaged on the subject."
He afterwards summoned the lords and gentlemen of the pale,
as well as those who had before refused to subscribe to the cess,
"last agreed on," as others of note, such as were before committed
Edward III, for admitting ton many women and bishops about his pei'son; and
■when on the king expressing his displeasure, we find them adjudging to death
the member on whose motion they had been persuaded to this act of presumption,
it is impossible for a moment to imagine that they possessed any sense of their
own w eight, or any real sjiirit of independence ; and the semblance of these
qualities, which appears in some of their proceedings, must be attributed to
causes not in themselves. They felt themselves under the protection of the
house of lords, whose power had originally extorted the liberties of the nation,
and they acted W'ithout fear under the auspices of such a body; aping its endea-
vours, and sometimes outstepping them ; sometimes impeaching persons who
were as obnoxious to the lords as to themselves ; sometimes acting as the tools
of aristocratic factions ; occasionally rising in their pretensions according to
the difficulties of the crown Whenever they appear to take a lead, their spirit
may easily be resolved into a sort of vanity ; into the officiousness of upstarts
in office, forward to affect a little power wliile they safely may, and gain a
little transient importance, but quite prepared to sink into their former
nothingness, on the first intimation of the displeasure of their superiors. —
This they did not often experience ; for the sovereign having the lords a far
mightier antagonist in view, regarded the meddling of the commons with little
concern; and anxious to get money, humoured their assurance with concessions
which the sutferance of the lords could at any time, according to the established
practice of govenment, enable him to resume. And when in the course of events
the power of the lords was annihilated, the commons, deprived of their pro-
tection, relapsed without a struggle, into that insignificance from which they
had only in appearance emerged. If they had really possessed any sense of
their own authority or importance, their constituents must have possessed the
same. A flame so universal could not have silently and suddenly expired;
nor have been extinguished without at least some slight explosions.
A remarkable passage has been quoted from a paper drawn up by Cecil in 1569,
to prove that constitutional principles were energetically prevalent in England
in the reign of Elizabeth, and at a period somewhat earlier than that to which
we have assigned tbeir first dissemination. Nothing can shew more strongly
how we may be deceived by an expression. By comparing this passage which
occurs in Haynes' state papers, p. 586, with other passages in the same work,
pages 580 and 589, we find that it alludes to those of the low^er classes who
favoured the pretensions of the queen of Scots, and hoped for some improve-
ment in government or in their condition from a change of sovereign. They
probably resembled the followers of Tyler and Cade.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixi
for impugning the cess, and conferred with them ; and after
various delays and excuses, they deUvered in a submission,
which being disapjiroved of, they said they would make no other.
They refused one drawn by the attorney-general, being directed
by Nugent, second baron of the Exchequer, brother of lord
Delvin. They said that they would not do a thing so prejudicial
to themselves, and their posterity. Next morning, he tells us,
he remonstrated and dealt with them together and apart; first with
the meaner, then with the better sort ; with the learned by them-
selves, and the simple by themselves ; " but all were framed to
one bent; most of them answered, that what the lords would do,
they would follow : they were but inferiors, and therefore they
would do as their betters did. They relied most upon lord Delvin,
who seemed to be the chief ringleader.''(') After this unsuccessful
remonstrance, he committed them to prison, and imposed fines
on them.(2)
Here we have the I'emarkable circumstance of a judge acting
as leader and adviser in opposition to the crown, and of lords and
gentlemen submitting with devotedness to fines and imprisonment,
relying with undoubting confidence on the support and co-opera-
tion of their less powerful fellow countrymen outside, who were
equally determined to withhold payment of the cess, and who
though they might lay the blame of their refusal on their superiors,
did so evidently with the full consent and concurrence of the latter,
who as being better able, were also quite willing to bear all the
punishment and all the censure.
This was Sidney's last endeavour. The Irish had in the mean
time taken up an additional weapon of attack. They charged him
with peculation and extravagance. A great outcry was raised by
the malecontents and other men of note, that he had wasted her
majesty's revenue.(3) The queen gave attention to these charges.
Sidney, in reply, gave an account of his expenses, (-1) though from
his letter of advice to his successor, (5) it is plain that he had spent
more than his allowance. The charges seem from secretary
"Wylson's letter, to have been fully believed by the queen's govern-
ment. (G) At all events they afforded a decent pretext, on which
(1) Sidney's letters, 11. 237. ('2) ilj- (3) Hooker.
(4) ttiduey's letters, p. 220. (r.) ib. p. 280. (0) ib. y,. 213.
Ixii INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
she might yield without compromizing her prerogative ; but it
was not until after Sidney's final and ineffectual attempt to enforce
compliance, that she thought fit to retire upon this subterfuge.
She then finally resolved to abandon her attempts, without how-
ever appearing to do so ; and recalled him for the purpose as it were
of receiving an account of his conduct. " It is meant," says
secretary Walsingham,(t) "that the colour of your revocation
shall be to confer about some plot for the diminishing said charge,
and to satisfy her, touching the exceeding the proportion allotted
unto you." The liberation of the prisoners in Dublin Castle was
next judged expedient, but it was contrived that it should seem to
be the act of Sidney himself. Accordingly, Walsingham writes(2)
him a private letter, advising him as a friend, " to leave a content
in the minds of the Irish subjects, before he should repair to
England, and to put in execution the plot set down by their agents;
and with regard to the noblemen and gentlemen long since com-
mitted to prison ;" he recommends him in general terms "to deal
with them as favourably as he may, following the example of tho
mercy of her majesty, and for that in these troublous times, a
general discontentment of the subjects of that land may prove of
dangerous consequence."
In the meantime, the gentry of the pale with a sullen reckless-
ness, resolved to encounter the severest losses, rather than seem
to acquiesce in the encroachments of the crown. Eory Oge with
his Irish rebels invaded the pale, and met with no opposition but
from some English soldiers in the queen's pay. The inhabitants
entirely withheld their assistance from government, and permitted
the rebels to commit "most execrable outrages" (3)on their property,
"without hue or cry, or any following of any other person in effect"
says Sidney, "than of the English soldiers." For the first time,
Sidney seems to have felt alarmed. He says, "the discontentation
of the lords and gentlemen is a matter of more consequence,
because we see them, as it were, dulled into a kind of senseless
obstinacy, as appeareth in the matter of submission to your ma-
jesty ; wherein how they stand upon form more than upon any
reasonable ground, your majesty hath already understood by
the report of me your deputy. * * * We see that either their own
(1) Sidney's letters, p. 231. (2) ib, p. 244. (3) Hooker.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixiii
careless consideration of themselves, or their dejected minds giveth
scope to the rebels to do the hurts which have been done in the
pale, and could not have continuance, if they did not (for lack of
will and endeavour to resist) show a kind of consent or allowance
of their own harms. 'XO
History can present no finer example of disinterested patriotism
than the events here related. The chief men coolly encountering
the queen's indignation ; paying heavy fines, and enduring tedious
and indefinite imprisonment: the rest of the gentry and inhabi-
tants submitting deliberately to the destruction of their homes and
their property by the rebels ; and all for the assertion of a public
principle ; for the advantage of their posterity rather than of them-
selves ; motives seemingly unintelligible to Sidney, when he tells
us that they " stood upon form more than upon any reasonable
ground"
It was now resolved to accept the cess in such form as the Irish
should consent to ; but recent events had rendered their consent
more difficult to be obtained than ever. Sidney found it necessary
to obtain the concurrence not only of the resident lords and gentry,
but also of those who resided in England attending her majesty at
court, " without which," he says, " the composition for cess can
grow to no perfect conclusion ;"('^) and the queen even thought it
necessary that it should be confirmed by parliament,(3) this
however was dispensed with.
Thus ended this momentous aflfair ; but there remained in the
minds of the inhabitants of the pale a strong distrust of the inten-
tions of government. A parliament was convened in 1585, in
which the opposition party mustered so strong, that every general
measure proposed on the part of the government was defeated,
and among them a bill for the suspension of Poyning's law. —
Even the ordinary subsidy of 13s. 4d. on every plowland was
rejected, and it was not thought prudent to bring forward a bill for
imposing a duty on wines.
The subject of religion was now begining to absorb all others.
The course pursued by government was most absurd, and proved
the source of all those violent dissentions, which have afflicted
this country for so many generations. There was perhaps no
(1) Sidney's letters, p. 252. (2) ib. p. p. 252 ami 253. (3) ib.
Ixiv INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
country in Europe into which the Reformation could liave been
at tliat time introduced with more ease and certainty by the
ordinary exertions of preachers than Ireland. The church of
Rome had at that time but a frail hold on the affections of the
people in most parts of the country. Even Keating confesses
that the "rude and unpolished part of the i^eoiAe dcsjyised the
discipUne of the churcli., and denied the authority of their
ecclesiastical superiors T Such a confession of a zealous roman-
ist shews how little respect or regard was at the time felt for his
church by that class of the population, who must have been the
most nvmierous ; indeed their disregard must have followed almost
necessarily from the debauched and barbarous lives of the priests,
"who with their wives and children, had their dwelling in the
churches, where they feasted and rioted. "(t) Keating was unable
to deny these customs of the priests; but tells us that they were
practised only in the most uncivilized part of the kingdom, and by
a sort of clergy, who pretended to he exempt from the authority
of ecclesiastical superiors, and placed heyond the reach of
church discipline. This is a most remarkable admission, and
almost amounts to an assertion, that the religion of Rome was
disclaimed in the most uncivilized parts of the kingdom. But be-
sides, in many extensive districts, such was the prevalence of war
and bloodshed, that no clergy of any sort were to be found. —
" There was, says Hooker, scarce a God known, and if known,
not at all honoured in the land, for the churches for the most part
were all destroyed and uncovered, the clergy scattered, the people
untaught, and as sheep without their pastors wandering without
instruction."
Sidney gives an equally dismal account of the state of religion.
"Surely," says he, "there was never people that lived in more
misery than they do ; nor as it should seem of worse minds ; for
matrimony among them is not regarded ; * * * perjury, robbery,
and murder are counted allowable. Finally, I cannot find that
they make any conscience of sin ; and doulitless I doubt whether
they christen their children or no, for neither find I place where
it should be done, or any person able to instruct them in the rules
of a christian ; or if they were taught, I see no grace in them to
(1) Camden.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. IxV
R)llo\v it, and when they die, I cannot see they make any account
of the world to come."'
Under such circumstances all grounds of jealousy and resent-
ment ought to have been carefully suppressed. But this was little
considered. In the Irish countries where law could not be enforced
even in civil affairs, the very name of the penal law raised as great a
storm as its execution elsewhere, and furnished the inhabitants
with a pretext for rising in rebellion, in which it was so often
their happiness to be involved. The multitude of course cared
nothing for the cause in which they were engaged. They followed
their leaders to the field according to old custom; but the declared
purpose of the war soon changed national into religious antipathy;
and the calamities endured, exasperated the sufferers of all orders
into bitter hatred of their enemies, under the new denomination of
protestauts, and thence into corresponding hatred of protestantism
itself.
Contrary to expectation, the pale and the towns joined the side
of government. Though they distnisted the administration and
regarded religious coercion as a monstrous evil, the predominance
of the Irish seemed incalculably worse. The one seemed open
to mitigation by the influence of reason and the experiment of
their loyalty. The other threatened them with hopeless anarchy
and ruin. However, as the war drew towards a close, the prospect
of indulgence began to fade, and though weary of its continuance,
they dreaded its termination as the commencement of severity.(l)
Their forebodings were too fully realized. By joining in the sup-
pression of the rebellion, they had mainly contributed to that total
reduction of the Irish which extended English dominion through-
out the whole island ; but at the same time, so consolidated the
power of government and so annihilated all enemies, that their
good-will and services so inestimable in former times, were now no
longer valued. The hopes which they had placed in their perse-
vering loyalty were finally dissipated, and they found when it was
too late, that they had been engaged in forging their own chains.
As English law had never been considered to have any force in
the Irish districts, which were beyond the controul of goverment,
so it was never imagined that the statutes of parliament could have
(1) Moryson.
Ixvi INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
force in those places. It seems veiy probable that a similar
exemption was loosely attributed to remote counties when unre-
presented, and that many laws expressed generally, were intended
only for the pale. Thus, though the writ of conge d' elire was
abolished by the parliament of the 2d of Elizabeth, it was not
imagined that the new law could apply to so remote a place as
Armagh ; for the election of pnmate, which soon followed, was
obliged to be post-poned on account of the absence of several of
the chapter. A similar understanding probably prevailed with
regard to the penal laws which were enacted by the same parlia-
ment, and which at the time of their enactment it would have been
difficult, if not impossible, to enforce at a distance from the pale.
Cork was one of the counties unrepresented in that parliament.
However, after the lapse of some years and a change of circum-
stances, this distinction, if ever it existed, was forgotten, and the
penalties of the law were vmhesitatingly enforced, wherever it
was found practicable.
On perceiving how they were requited, the towns, especially
of the south, made a desperate effort to shake off the restraint.
They had as yet very little to complain of, being hitherto allowed
the private exercise of their religion ; but having been long accus-
tomed to govern their own communities without external controul,
they could ill brook the present interference. On the death of the
queen, they forcibly restored the Romish worship and its public
ceremonies. The city of Cork even refused to proclaim king-
James. Its inhabitants announced their sentiments with all that
unnecessary insolence which a spirit of democracy usually engen-
ders. They refused to obey any government but that of the
mayor. The mayor compared himself to the doge of Venice.
Whether in their conduct towards protestants, they were actuated
by intolerance, or merely by a spirit of retaliation, seems uncertain.
They shot at the bishop's palace and killed a clergyman. One
Fagan abused every protestant whom he met, and reviled sir
Gerald Herbert, for not doing reverence to the cross, which he
carried about in procession. Yet their outcry was for liberty of
conscience, an expression which seemingly comprises a principle
of general application.
The Irish countries, as yet free from the infliction of the penal
law, and lately subdued by a confederation of their enemies, felt
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. IxVU
no inclination to assist the towns ; and a large army being still in
the country, the latter were at last intimidated into submission.
The government proceeded to enforce the law with severity, and
in Dublin, exceeded the letter of the statute; upon which the
inhabitants of the pale with their usual precise notions of consti-
tutional rights, presented a bold remonstrance ; but intelligence
of the gunpowder plot just then arrived, and threw a dark shadow
over their cause, which really so far as they were concerned seems
to have been generous and constitittional. Some rebellions also
in the remoter districts, where the operation of the statute could
hardly as yet have penetrated, soon after followed and completed
the disgraces of the catholic cause.
The lord president of Munster, whose office it had been to
exercise arbitrary jurisdiction in the Irish districts, now by the
express command of the king extended his authority to the towns,
and first took the city of Cork under his paternal care. This was
in the year 1606. Finding that the mayor, aldennen and others,
would not be persuaded to attend the service of the refomied
church, he imposed on them heavy fines not warranted by law,
and condemned them to imprisonment during pleasure. He then
deposed Sars field the mayor, for refusing to take the oath of
supremacy ; and a new mayor being chosen who toc^ it without
scruple, Sarsfield was required to deliver up the ensigns of his
office ; but hesitating to comply, he was fined £500 for his con-
tempt, and adjudged to suffer imprisonment during his majesty's
pleasure. Some months afterwards, other persons having refused
to attend divine service, were fined £100 each, and ordered to be
imprisoned during his majesty's pleasure ; and their goods were
sold for payment of the fines. Similar proceedings were afterwards
adopted in other towns.C)
Protestant settlers were now becoming numerous and powerful
in the country. All advancement was confined to them by the
operation of the statute ; and they were resolved by every means
in their power, to continue the depression of the catholics, and
preserve their own monopoly. Being powerful from their advan-
tages as -well as from their numbers, they enabled the king by his
mere fiat to establish such measures as tended to strengthen and
(1) Gale's corporate system.
Ixviii INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
preserve the new interest in the country. The parliament was new
modelled in order to o\ erwhelm the old catholic opposition party.
Seventeen nev/ counties were formed in the conquered districts, and
a number of new boroughs were created in insigniticant places,
where the English interest was predominant. In 1612, it was
determined to call a parliament, with representatives from all these
new places. The lords of the pale with their usual free spirit,
addressed a letter to the king, representing the impropriety of this
proceeding. At the same time agents were despatched from the
pale into every province, to support the elections in opposition to
government. The Romish clergy preached the cause of religion.
The greatest exertions were made ; but in the end it was found
that the malecontents were in a minority. A violent scene ensued,
and the lord deputy prorogued the parliament.
Agents were despatched to the king by the recusants of the pale,
and a liberal contribution was raised to defray their expenses;
but their pretexts were constitutional, and as might be expected,
they received no satisfaction from the king or council ; their cause
involved the interests of popery, and they received no support or
countenance from the English people. On their return, the par-
liament refused to acquiesce in the decision of the king. The
lord deputy, perplexed by the difficulties which surrounded him,
assumed a moderate and conciliatory demeanour. The catholics
of the pale, hoping that the change in the tone of government,
was the harbinger of indulgence to their religion, were so far
mollified, that both parties consented to postpone the considera-
tion of the disputed returns ; and as soon as several bills had
been passed and a liberal subsidy granted, the lord deputy, by
dissolving the parliament, set the question to rest.
From henceforth the representatives from the pale and old
towns became a powerless minority in the house of commons, and
the old constitutional spirit of Irish parliaments was overborne by
the influx of the English interest. But the stmggles of the enlight-
ened patriots of the kingdom, had been neither brief nor feeble.
They are described in the following contemptuous terms by Mory-
son. " Eut the English Irish in all parts, (and especially in the
pale) either by our too much cherishing them since the last
rebellion, (in which we found many of them falsehearted) or by
the king's religious courses to reform them in their obstinate addic-
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixix
tion to popery, (even in those points which oppugned his majesty's
power,) or by the fuUness of bread in time of peace, (whereof no
nation sooner surfeits than the Irish) ; were grown so wanton, so
incensed, and so high in the instep, as they had of late mutinously
broken off a parliament called for the public good and reformation
of the kingdom, and from that time continued to make many
clamorous complaints against the English governors, (especially
those of the pale against the worthy lord deputy and his ministers)
through their sides, wounding the royal authority."
The civilized catholics being now embarked in the same cause
with the rude Irish, began to be confounded with them, and were
henceforward visited with every disgrace and obloquy, which the
latter alone merited ; and being as it were merged in the mass of the
nation, who were ignorant of all the principles on which a govern-
ment ought to be conducted, they experienced the most galling
contempt from the parties in power. The administration became
very arbitrary and vexatious in civil as well as religious matters.
The protestant inhabitants seem to have been in no respect
displeased with the violent government which now followed, so
long as they saw it exercised in the suppression of popery and the
promotion of their own advancement. They even eulogized its
author Strafford ; though on learning the disposition of the
English parliament, they suddenly turned round and supported
that body in all its vindictive measures, their grand aim being
the strengthening of the English interest in this country by
means of the friendship and support of the leading parties in the
sister kingdom ; to which purpose they finally sacrificed the
legislative independence of Ireland.
In fact the principles of liberty and of the constitution were so
freely asserted by the catholics of the pale, that they seem to have
contracted a taint in the eyes of the protestants in Ireland, at the
very time when their kinsmen in England were working out
their freedom with perseverance. They were here regarded as
the peculiar tenets of rebels and papists, and were little counte-
nanced by the dominant part}'. The recusants of the pale seem
to have been sensible of this disadvantage, and endeavoured
by their moderation and ready concurrence in granting supplies
to remove the injurious impression. They persevered for
}cars in a loyal though discontented deportment, hoping that
IxX INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
such conduct would in the end meet its reward. It ia probable
that their example was not without its weight in the provinces.
The influence of knowledge and civilization is very great. By
their superiority in tliese advantages, they were the natural leaders
of the recusants ; and this was probably the cause of the continu-
ance of peace throughout the kingdom, which to Leland appeared
so extraordinary, that he labours to account for it. When how-
ever their moderation had been tried for many years, and been
requited with an increase of hatred on the part of the protestants,
the other and more numerous portion of the nation, the semibar-
barous Irish took the business into their own hands, and as might
be expected from their ignorant and brutal character, followed it
up with atrocious crimes and egregious follies, so far outstepping
the bounds both of humanity and right reason, as to justify in a
great degree the heavy hand which was afterwards laid upon
them. The proceedings of their convention, a sort of parliament
which was afterwards established, shew them to have been
ignorant of the first principles of human affairs, and utterly unfit
to obtain a share in the government of their country ; while
their savage bigotry and murderous rancour plainly rendered
the country uninhabitable to their less sanguinary adversaries,
without the total exclusion of the nider inhabitants from power
for some generations. It is not here meant to justify the
courses which provoked their religious ferocity, or the heavy
penalties subsequently imposed on the exercise of their religion ;
but when we reflect that the inhabitants of the pale and the towns
alone had an opportunity of acquiring some knowledge of govern-
ment and the piinciples of the constitution, it cannot seem very
unreasonable, that the great body of the peojjle, so long withheld
by their own barbarous wishes from a share in the government,
and therefore destitute of all rational ideas on such subjects, as
their convention fully proved by its extravagance and folly,
sliould for some time longer be excluded from a participation
in power, at least during the season of their unmitigated and
avowed intolerance.
We may here take occasion to remark, that the towns with
their characteristic old republican feelings refused to be taxed by
the convention ; and like separate governments, levied contribu-
tions on themselves for the use of the catholic cause.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixxi
When wo consider the moderate extent of the city of Cork
in the reign of Elizabeth, we may naturally be surprised at its
ancient importance, in comparison with the other towns of the
county. But the truth is, that in the time of Elizabeth, it had
suffered a very great decline: the island, which is said to have
then comprised the city, was not more than about one-third of
a statute mile in length, and its breadth was only about one-third
of its length, — dimensions, which would seem to give it little
pre-eminence over Kinsaleand Youghal, as contained within their
ancient walls. It is true, our accounts of it before Elizabeth's
reign are very meagre and imperfect; but enough remains to
assure us, that it had previously been of much greater extent;
we have already seen good reason to infer that the most ancient
part of the city stood on the hill, to the south of the island, and
that it was destroyed in the wars of the barbarous lords ; and
we learn from the charter of king Edward IV, that Cork had, a
few years previously to its date, possessed suburbs extending a
mile from both parts of the city, and that they were about that
time burned and destroyed by the invaders. As they were
burned, Ihey must have consisted in a great degree of buildings;
and this will give us some idea of the real extent of the city in
ancient times, it being by this account upwards of two miles in
length, including the island. Doubtless those buildings were
interspersed with gardens, as we find to have been usual even
within the walls, so late as the reign of Charles I. As to the
locality of the suburbs, we may conclude that the northern one
coincided with that part of the present city, which lies between
north bridge, and the junction of the ]\Iallow road with the old
Dublin road ; for this was the only great outlet from the city on
that side, and must naturally have attracted the buildings along
its course, while the steepness of the hills on either side would
prevent improvement from branching off laterally. The southern
suburb, which must have been identical with the original town
on the hill, probably extended to the lough, and perhaps to a
greater distance towards Kinsale, although in its modern increase
it has not yet reached the above point, owing to the poverty of
the inhabitants in that quarter, and the badness of the approaches
to it. It is amusing to speculate on the probability, that the
lough, which now presents so retired and rural appearance,
9
Ixxii INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
may have been anciently surrounded by a densely inhabited
suburb.
At the close of the reign of Elizabeth, the citizens
seem to have had no definite ideas of established constitutional
rights of individuals ; for though they showed a strong spirit of
insubordination on her death, yet finding themselves unable to
wage war against her successor, they submitted without remon-
strance to the usurpations of his government. The queen had
some years before arranged a system of martial law to be executed
in Munster, that is, we conceive, in such parts of the province as
were reputed to be Irish districts, and without tlie pale of
English law. By this it was provided, that no person should
have the benefit of trial by jury, unless he possessed a freehold ;
and now, on the submission of the citizens to the accession of
James I, this ordinance was enforced against such of those
engaged in the late opposition to the proclaiming of the king,
as happened to have no freeholds ; and strange to say, no dis-
content seems to have been manifested at the time on this groimd.
In fact, when the citizens found themselves deprived of their
old isolated independence, and that the authority of the general
government was extended over them, they probably conceived
that the evil was but little enhanced by the mode in which that
authority might be exercised.
Indeed it seems very manifest that they had little notion of
any rights or liberties distinct from the rights and liberties of
their city, which they governed with little knowledge of the
laws of England, and with a very wide exercise of their discre-
tion ; and even after their humiliation in their contest with the
crown, they continued for many years to make laws for tb.eir local
government, almost as unlimited in their nature as the laws
passed in parliament : they imposed taxes and duties ; fixed the
penalties to be paid by those who might refuse the offices of
mayor and sheriff; prohibited owners of ground outside the walls
from erecting buildings on it, if injurious to the defensive
strength of the city ; compelled strangers to enter into bonds
and make oath to observe the local laws ; interfered even in
transactions of commerce, imposing conditions on the purchase
of merchandize ; and attached the punishments of fine and
imprisonment to the infringement of their enactments. Indeed
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixxiu
so decided was their impressiDii that they formed a separate
state in themselves, that the principle is, as it were, taken for
granted in the preambles to some of their laws, as in the
following instance taken from a bye law passed on the 28th of
Sept., 1610 — "Forasmuch as in all commonwealths the citty
or chief place thereof is most to be respected and regarded
not only in fortifying and maintaining the same, but also in
foreseeing and preventing of future inconvenience that might
ensue thereunto, and especially in not permitting nor any way
tolerating of any building to be made or erected near unto the
same, whereby it might in any way prejudice, annoy, or be
hurtful unto the said citty in action or jurisdiction, whereof
our forefathers were careful and provident, as we see by the
precedents they left us, &c."
However, after the reduction of the citizens under the power
of King James, they appear to have regarded the king's
government as an external power, whose requirements (which
were only occasional) it would be dangerous to dispute. The
towns of Ireland in general continued very obsequious until the
rebellion, when they resumed their separate existence ; but the
city of Cork was held in the dominion of government or of the
protestants during the wars of that period, and was unable to
take any part in the proceedings of the Roman Catholics.
Indeed it is very probable that the sense oilegal rights, even
of the inhabitants of the pale, which shevi^ed itself with so
much energy in the reign of Elizabeth, was of very recent
growth. In an address of Stanihurst, the speaker of the
house of commons, to sir Henry Sidney, delivered the 12tli
December, 1570, we read the following passage. " In
mine experience, who have not yet seen much more than
forty years, I am able to say that our realm is at this day
an half deal more civil than it was, since noble men and wor-
shipful, with others of ability, have used to send their sons into
England to the law, to miiversities or to schools."*" It was pro-
bably this recent improvement in education that disseminated
more distinct ideas of law and constitutional rights among the
leaders of the people, and opened their eyes to the danger of
* Campion.
Ixxiv INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
allowing the establishment of bad precedents; for though their
ideas of law mvist in some degree have becen accjuired in England,
where o'jsequious principles preponderated ; yet it was not
unnatnral for them to import from that country, such maxims
of law as were not inconsistent, and to reject those doctrines
of the prerogative which the state of society in their own coun-
try, rendered them incapable of understanding : doctrines which
while they acknowledged the authority of law, were at the same
time subversive of all law, and were certainly too refined and
sophistical for the rude Irish. It is plain that they received much
enlightenment from England. Their previous habits of liberty had
probably been grounded on little more than an idea of a right
to resist oppression, arising from a knowledge of their own power,
and of the weakness of government, — an idea continually fos-
tered by the turbulence of the times. Still it may seem extraordi-
nary that the independent spirit of the pale was not confined to
the powerful aristoci'acy. But we may observe, that in the factious
wars and broils of neighbouring lords, the commons must attain
importance. Their assistance was necessary to their leaders,
whose power from time to time tottered beneath the attacks of
their neighbours, and who therefore found it necessary to en-
courage their followers with every imnumity, and indeed impu-
nity ; and this sort of indulgence had prevailed to such a ruinous
extent in Ireland, that Sidney found the Ormond family, who
were earls palatine, wholly unable to govern their districts.
Agreeably to these views it has been observed, that the wars of
the roses tended powerfully to enfranchise the villains in England
by rendering their assistance necessary to the prevalence of each
faction.*
* In Ireland where loc.il wars were perpetnal, we find no traces of villanage
at any period. There are, it is true, a few estates of copyhold tenure in the
island, but it is probable they had a conventional origin, in imitation of the
English system, at an early time, when the illegality of such an origin was
little understood. At a period long subsequent, a similar but less successful
attempt was made by the Cromwellian settlers to introduce a tenure like that
of copyhold by granting leases for lives, with covenants for perpetual renewal,
on payment of fines. We have seen one instance, of the date of 1709, in
which a heriot or best beast is made payable on the death of every tenant,
which increases the resemblance, and in a mortgage of the same lease made
in the following year, the tenant's estate is actually called a copyhold. It
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixxv
The barbarous mode of life pursued in the Irish districts,
appears to have continued even among many of the higher classes,
until they were supplanted by English proprietors, after
the wars of 16 II. Boullaye le Gouz, a Frenchman who travelled
through Ireland in 164 1, says, " The castles or houses of the
nobility consist of four walls extremely high thatched with straw,
but to tell the truth they are notliing but square towers without
windows, or at least having such small apertures, as to give no
more light than there is in a prison. They have little furniture,
and cover their rooms with rushes, of which they make their
beds in summer, and of straw in winter. They put the rushes a
foot deep on their floors, and on their windows, and many of
them ornament the ceilings with branches. They are fond of
the harp on which nearly all play."
However, long before this time, improvement had begun to
make rapid advances. On the overthrow of the Desmond family
in the reign of Elizabeth, English gentlemen obtained extensive
grants of the forfeited lands, on condition of planting them with
English tenants on a military system. At the close of her
reign the country began to enjoy tranquillity; the feudal
authorities being broken, and the crown having become
strong, peace and security were the natural results. The
merchants of Cork ventured to reside without the
walls; and suburbs began to appear again. In a petition of the
citizens dated 1630, we find a requisition, " that whereas, the
whole city of Cork being the shiere city of the county of Cork,
containing only two small parishes, and there being four
dissolved abbeys, viz. — Gill Abbey, St. Dominick's abbey,
St. Angustin's abbey, and St. Francis's abbey, with their
possessions, lying within the ancient franchises and liberties,
where there are many merchants residing, and the trade of
merchandize more used than in a great part of the said city,
that those abbeys, with their possessions and inhabitants, may
be within the jurisdiction and government of the officers of the
city, to the end they may be liable to contributions, both for
has been said that the duke of Orniond was the ori^nnator of this sort of lease,
but there seems good reason to duubt it, for instances of it earlier than those
attributed to that nobleman have been pointed out.
Ixxvi INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
his majesty's service and the public charge of the city, the
rather for that many of purpose dwell within the possessions
of these abbeys, to be free from sesse of soldiers, and other
public charges." During this period, Sir Richard Boyle,
first earl of Cork, acquired by his talents and industry very
large estates in the county, and contributed more than any other
man to introduce order and civilization ; but the commotions
which began in 1641, obliterated every improvement. The man-
sion houses, which had begun to supersede the old narrow
towers, having floors of timber, and no contrivance for defence
(if we except the machicolated projections which some possessed)
seem to have been almost all burned.
After the rebellion of 1641, a large portion of the land was
given to the private soldiers of the parliamentary army in small
divisions, many of whom sold their allotments to other persons,
as protestant merchants of Cork and other towns, at prices which
scarcely amounted to half their present annual value. A large
portion also fell to the adventurers, or those who had advanced
money to carry on the war against the Irish, on the faith of
being repaid by forfeited estates. Finally the officers received
the remainder of the land by grants, each of which was made to
two or three, in trust for themselves and a specified number of
others, in the proportion of the sums due to them. These estates,
the trustees either divided among themselves and the others for
whom they held them, or settled with the latter by payments of
money, keeping the land themselves, or by such other private
arrangements as they thought proper. Besides the officers, many
of the adventures and purchasers from soldiers obtained grants
to themselves for the security of their titles. The passing of
these grants to officers and others, commenced in 1666, and
continued for several years through the delay occasioned by the
investigation of the several claims. Some Ro)nan Catholics
who proved their innocence were allowed to retain their lands,
but a greater number who were equally innocent were excluded^
it being found that the remaining lands were scarcely sufficient
to satisfy the protestant claims.
The lands set apart for the officers were distributed by lot
without regard to proximity. Many, on obtaining them, sold
the whole or such parts as were distant from their adopted
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixxvii
settlements to otlier protestants, chiefly merchants, in towns.
Afterwards came the forfeitures of the rcvohition, Vvhicli
completed the destruction of the old Eoman Catholic families.
The estates forfeited on this occasion were sold by auction. The
purchasers were protestants.
So complete was the revolution of property produced by these
events, that the gentry of this county became almost wholly
protestant, and the Roman Catholic religion, or an Irish surname,
became in latter times prima facie a mark of inferior station.
We are unable to recollect more than two Roman Catholic fiimilies
now existing in tliis county, whose estates escaped these confisca-
tions, namely the Coppingers, of Barryscourt, and the Barrys, of
Lemlara. There were however some others who since conformed
to the established religion. The peasantry, with the exception
of a few inaccurate dabblers in antiquity, have very oljscure
traditionary recollections of these changes, and regard the
present proprietors with the full veneration usually attached to
ancient rank ; nor can we perceive in them any propensity
towards detraction on these accounts, notwithstanding the bitter-
ness of political and religious dissentions. It is a mistake also
to suppose that the peasantry preserve the title deeds of their
families: we have made enquiry on this pointand find the fact tobe
very much the contrary: indeed it would be impossible to preserve
for so many years such frail articles as family documents hi such
places as the cabins of the peasantry. The case mentioned by
Mr. Weld, in his guide to Killarney, is a singular exception.
However, the families of forfeiting persons have not always
been depressed so very low as has been supposed. Nevertheless
we have heard of few instances in which they have preserved
their title deeds, and in such cases they have done so more by
chance than design. In the mean time the succeeding links of
their pedigrees have become obscure ; and their ancestral claims
(except in the case of a few remarkable aboriginal families,) are
by their countrymen unnoticed and unknown.
At the head of the ancient families of this county who preserved
their estates through all the convulsions of the country may be
placed the Barrys earls of Barrymoro. They were descended
from a brother of Geraldus Cambrensis, the first English
historian of this country, and obtained their estates by a grant to
Ixxviii INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
Philip do Bany, made by his uncle Robert Fitzstephen to whom
Henry the Second had granted half the kingdom of Cork. They
also received grants of forfeited estates at the restoration ; but
portions of their original possessions descended to the present
times in the form of chiefrents, so small even as two pounds per
annum out of a townland. The earldom became extinct by the
death of the last earl, and the other titles virtually so, for though
multitudes of the name and lineage unquestionably remain, the
evidences of pedigree are so defective that no successor can be
ascertained.* The estates have come by sale into various hands. f
Very large estates in the county belonged to a junior branch of
this family descended from the fourth earl, and afterwards came
by will to the late John Smith Barry, esq., together with large
estates in England. The estates in this county are believed
to amount to about £20,000 a year. How so large a property
came to be separated from the earldom, if indeed it were ever
annexed to it, we are unable to say.
In Smith's time there subsisted a branch of the Barrys who had
been seated at Eathcormac for five hundred years, and sat in the
upper houseof Parliament so far back as the 30th year of Edward
1st, anno 1302. They became extinct in the principal branch about
the year 1760, J and the estates fell to coheirs descended from
two sisters, Catherine Barry, wife of Samuel Hartwell, esq.,
and Ann Barry, wife of lord chancellor Brodrick, first viscount
Midleton. The coheirs § in 1771 sold their estates for £59,000,
and the purchasers Eobert and Nicholas Lawless, esqrs., of
Dubhn, sold them in 1774 to William Tonson, esq, for £68,000.
* Unlike English biironies in fee, the ukl Irish peerages are foiiml to have
adhered to the male line, uotwithstaiuling the occurrence of female heirs.
We have never discovered anything to countenance the supposition that
the followers of sopts adopted as in Scotland the surname of their chieftains
without being of the same male lineage,
f A large estate near Castlelyons was sold in 1GS5 by the Earl and his
tenant to James Cotter, esq. The whole purchase money was £3,020, some-
what more than twice the present annual value.
J The male line is now represented by the Barrys of Ballyclough.
§ These were captain Brodrick Hartwell, E.N., grandson of Catherine
Barry ; and James St. John Jeffreys, esq., of Blarney, John, first Lord
O'Neil, Freke, and Mrs. Brodrick, descendants of the Hon. St. John
Brodrick, only son of Ann Barry.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixxix
The I?oclies, viscounts Fcrmoy, one of the original English
families of this county, forfeited their honours and lauds in
1641. A branch of the family was seated at Ballymolgole, or
Ballymagooly, so far back as 1344, when William de lloche of
this place was made sheriff of the county of Cork. Ballyma-
gooly, with an extensive mountainous tract adjoining, was sold
in 1683, by a Theobald Eoche to James Cotter,* esquire, for
a sum of £2,782, which is little more than its present annual
value. The whole was soon after erected into a manor by patent.
The families of Roche of Trabolgau and Dunderrow or Holly-hill,
whose ancestors had been leading citizens of Cork, seem to have
retired to their estates about the reign of James the first. The
large property of the Dunderrow branch, came by an heir general
to the Kearneys of Garretstown. On the death of the late James
Kearney, esquire, his cousin Mr. Rochfort, succeeded to all his
estates, and at his death bequeathed them to Mi*. Cuthbert,
of Cork, whose sister he had married.
The families of Barrett, Condon or Caunton and Fitzgibboa
were anciently of so much note and power, that they gave names
to the cantreds or baronies which formed their seigniories. It is
probable they had lands or chiefries throughout the entire of these
districts. We have not heard of any ascertained male descend-'
ants of these families, though their names are very common. The
Fitz-Geralds seneschals of Imokilly, (men of great i30wer,) were
also involved in the common forfeitures, but their line stills
subsists at Castle Richard.
The de Courcys lords Kingsale are one of the most ancient
English families of the county : they claim descent from the
famous de Courcy, earl of Ulster, together with a privilege,
said to have been conferred on that personage, of wearing their
hats in the presence of royalty. We learn however from Giraldus
Cambrensis, that the earl died without lawful issue ; and the
legend relating to the privilege seems to be of comparatively
"modern mvention ; but the privilege itself has been several times
recognised by our sovereigns, as it perhaps ever will be, as an
innocent pretension The de Courcys had formerly great pos-
* Mr. Cotter was afterwards knighted, and became a conspicuous mililary
cliaracter in the wars of the Revolution,
10
IXXX INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
sessions in the county of Cork. In the reign of Edward III.,
the estates Milo de Courcy, chiefly the manor of Ringroan,
which was of great extent, passed into other famiUcs hy co-heirs,
yet this manor afterwards belonged to the lords Kingsale ; how-
ever, so far back as the reign of Elizabeth, and perhaps long be-
fore, these lords were noted for their poverty,* a circumstance
which, by keeping them in obscurity, probably preserved them
from attainders. It is said that on the death of the twenty-fourth
lord in 1 759 without male issue, his sons-in-law, Mr. O'Grady and
Mr. M'Carty, forcibly held possession of the estate in opposition
to the legal rights of the next heir male, and that the sheriff of the
comity was unable to put the new lord Kingsale into possession,
until he had assailed the castle (perhaps Ringroan) with artillery
on the land side, and the cannon of a ship of war from the river.
We will not, however, guarantee the truth of this anecdote.
With respect to families of Irish descent, it appears to us that
the information which is attainable, is little to be rehed on, except
perhaps, with regard to families of great and historical note. The
bards who have left us their genealogies were paid flatterers, and,
as we know that their patrons lived in mortal fear of their enmity,
it may be inferred that they had little regard for truth. The
early portions of their pedigrees being palpable fables, we have
the less reason to rely on the other parts composed mider the
pressui'e of dependence ; and at all events, we must infer that
many links of illegitimacy have been glossed over, in a country
and an age in which that defect was not considered an insuper-
able bar to succession. When the bards found it necessary to
give an honorable account of the origin of catholic surnames,
which were not Irish, and were not known to be English, as those
of Plunket, Coppinger, &c., they referred them to the Danes, as
more reputable, and much less odious than the English, without
however, attempting to furnish the links so far back. This is
persisted in even at present, although there were no surnames in
the Danish times, and although the language of the Danes from
which those names seem to have been derived, was essentially
the same as the Saxon.
In the annalsf will be found the names of some of the English
* Qampion. f Page57i
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixxxi
families of the county, who in the reign of Elizabeth, had fallen
into some decay through oppression. The family deeds of one
of these (the Tyrrys) are still preserved. They ascend to the
reign of Henry VI., and are in the possession of Dominick Sars-
field esquire of Doughcloyne, who has also a great mass of
documents relating to the Sarsfiekls and their estates. Such
collections are invaluable; and it is to be regretted that no per-
sons of competent industry have yet been found to elucidate
their contents.
Prior to the forfeitures, the law of primogeniture was strongly
counteracted by the influence of Irish customs.* It became
usual to divide the inheritance among all the sons, and at the
close of the 17th century we find this custom assigned as the cause
of the family pride and idleness of the younger members of
families. It was remarked that men who succeeded to a pittance
however miserable,* relied on their pretensions and disdained to
engage in trade.
For many years succeeding the Revolution, the people, though
riotous and lawless, were powerless and unpretending : old per-
sons can remember when individuals of the lower classes would
not dare to resent an insult, or even a blow or a kick from a
gentleman. The magistrates were doubtless very arbitrar\%
which, though objectionable in a constitutional point of view,
must have been eventually useful in producing habits of obedience
to authority. In 1750, Arthur Hyde esquire, a magistrate of
this county, let some land to a neighbouring clergyman, without
having obtained the possession from the former occupants ; one
of these, a miller, having a lease of a mill made to him by a
former tenant of Mr. Hyde, for a longer term than his own, which
had expired, made objections to give it up. We have before us
a letter of Mr. Hyde's to the clergyman, which, considering the
gross illegality of the course which he directs, seems character-
istic of the times. " If," says he, " he attempts to remain there
* The fallowing is a curious illustration of tlio extensiou of Irish usages to
land of English tenure : — In 1585, John Cotter, of Coppingerstown, having
land to the amount of 174 acres, made it over to his son, on condition
however, that he should divide and share it with his cousins aftor the manner
of their predecessors.
Ixxxii INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
without your approbation, I'll indict him, and gaol him ; who-
ever you're disposed to set to, give him possession ; and if the
other attempts to withhold the possession, let him lodge infor-
mations, a warrant will issue, and TU send a possee to lay him
by the heels ; such an audacious fellow is not to be treated with
the least tenderness,"
While the lower classes were so tightly governed, it
cannot be supposed that the claims and pretensions of the Roman
catholics, as such, would be much attended to. That body was
reduced to utter debility : resistance on their part seems to have
been regarded as an absurdity, and the mere expression of their
opinions on party questions was held to be an impertinence. la
1768, on the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne, about a dozen
persons ventured to appear in the streets of Cork with white lilies
in their hats, in contempt of the occasion, but were dispersed
and caned by some gentlemen ; and another person, who is called
by the newspaper of the day, " an ignorant little fribble," nar-
rowly escaped a severe discipline, from which nothing, we are
told, but his insignificancy could have protected Irim.
The great prevalence of duelling and drinking bouts in the last
century, promotes an impression that the Irish gentry of that
period were very unpolished, and that their subsequent improve-
ment must have arisen from the legislative union with Eng-
land. It should be remembered, however, that the improvement
of manners, in England, has been very considerable; and it cer-
tainly does not appear that the disparity between the two countries
in this respect, was formerly greater than it is at present, even
though we allow Fielding's squire Western to be a caricature.
A late baronet, who was educated in England, and resided there
till his arrival at manhood, and moreover was an accomplished
scholar, found himself, on his father's death, about seventy years
ago, under the necessity of coming to Ireland to visit his estates
in this county. He did so with extreme reluctance, and with a
determination to retire as soon as possible from a country which
he believed to be insufferable as a residence; but on his arrival,
he found to his astonishment that the gentlemen mere well hred,
and rode in their carriages^ and quite resembled those of Eng-
land. The result was, that he made this country his residence
during the course of a long life. This anecdote, which may be
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixxxiii
relied on to the letter, shews also the extreme ignorance of the
English of that period in all that related to the state of Ireland.
We no*v return to the affairs of tlie city. From the year
1609, when the city books commence, to the expulsion of the
Roman catholics in 1644, the corporation appears almost exclu-
sively of that denomination. Some protestants indeed, were
occasionally admitted to the freedom, but they were mostly
statesmen, or official j^ersons of distinction, who had no interest
in local afiairs. There were not more than five or six protestants
of a private sort admitted during the above period. After the
expulsion of the Roman catholics, the city continued without
any civil government imtil 1655,* when Sir William Fenton,
Maurice Roche, Christopher Oliver, John Morley, and John
Hodder, ancient freemen, assembled together, and chose
John Hodder to be mayor.f They then proceeded to create a
great number of protestant freemen, sufficient evidently to out-
vote the Roman catholics, should they return. The first admis-
sions remaining! took place on the 16lh of May, 1656. They
were continued on the 17th, 19di, 24th, and 31st of May, 6th of
June, and afterwards at longer intervals. The franchise was con-
ferred on great numbers gratuitously, but to many also it was sold,
for sums varying from £1 to £10 or £ 12. This sale of the fran-
chise was quite in accordance with old practice. On the 31st of
May, 1656, the corporation embodied the various artificers into
guilds, in several of which separate trades somewhat similar to
each other were incorporated together under the name of one
of them. Thus were formed the several guilds of blacksmiths,
of merchant tailoi-s, of tanners, of whittawers, of carpenters,
of freemasons, of goldsmiths, of cordwainers, of butchers and of
porters. On the 6th of June following, was formed the guild of
* In the catalogue of mayors this is dated 1G5G, which is more likely.
t We take this fact from Smith — the book from which he derived it is not
forthcoming.
J The first leaf of the book of admissions is lost; but as the subsequent
leaves contain twelve admissions each, the first certainly did not contain more:
but probably less, as part might have been occupied with a title ; the pages
remaining, comprise all the protestants who became mayors and sheriffs, ex-
cept those of the year 16jG.
Ixxxiv INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
clothiers, and on the 29th of October, 1657, the guild of barber-
chirurgpons. Considerable sums were paid for these incorpora-
tions.' By these means, and by selling the freedom,* a sum of
£297 10s. was obtained before the close of the year 1656.* In
selecting for the offices of mayor and sheriff, no distinction seems
to have been made between those who had obtained their free-
dom gratuitously, and those who had paid for it. In October,
1685, Mathew Savory, Zacharia Trebusheth, and Peter Segen,
were admitted to their freedom gratis, " for that these were per-
secuted protestants, and forced to fly their country on account
of their religion, the persecution being then hot in France."
Similar admissions occurred occasionally afterwards, but com-
prise none of the French names which since became noted in the
city.
In the year 1686, the Irish protestants being terrified by the
conduct of the government, many of them transferred their resi-
dence to England. Of those who remained, some were en-
rolled in the new corporations, as remodelled by James II. in
1689, and constituted a third part of those bodies. King James,
however, and all his proceedings, were soon overturned, and
the former system restored, but not without great losses to many
of the citizens, partly by the temporary sequestration of their
estates, and partly, no doubt, by the destruction of houses during
the seige of Cork, by the duke of Marlborough. The effect
of the duke's cannon may still be seen along the lower part of
the bastion of the fort at Barrack-hill, which was battered from
Catfort.
In succeeding times, notwithstanding the wide diffusion of the
franchise, the council, or board of aldermen, contrived to en-
gross all power to themselves. The form of choosing the mayors
was thus : twelve of the council, with one of the sheriffs, went
hito the castle, called Cork castle, (then standing) and there
nominated threef of the burgesses (the candidates) to the free-
men, in court of d'oyer hundred, who were to choose one of the
* The guilds are now remembered only by tradition ; but they were in full
vigour in 1737.
+ Two centuries before this, the mayor and bailiffs proposed three persons,
of whom the commons elected one to be mayor, — See p. 285.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. IxXXV
three to be mayor for the ensuing year. It was charged against
the council, that two of the three were stalking horses, unfit to
be elected through some iucajiacity, and that the favourite
scarcely ever failed in being elected. The sheriffs were elected in
a similar way. It appears also, that the common council had
assumed the power of disposing of the public money, without the
consent of the commons, and that the court of d'oyer hundred
was reduced to a mere cypher. At last, about the year 1718,
when matters were carried with a high hand by the board of
aldermen, supported by the public money, and by the oflicers
who felt themselves bound to support the power which appointed
them, a struggle was set on foot by some of the citizens, who
made up a fund among themselves, and recurring to the charters
of the city, asserted the rights of the commons, and finally suc-
ceeded in establishing them. The struggle continued from 1718 to
1721, and must have been very violent. It was at one time in-
tended that parliament should decide the difference, but by the
interposition of persons at both sides, matters were adjusted ;
and then, " for the first time in the memory of any man living,"
as the writer* tells us, the court of d'oyer hundred proceeded to
fill up the . vacancies in the common council on the 20th
January, 1721, and elected three burgesses to complete it to the
number of twenty-four.
On the 5th of February, 1721, they proceeded to make by-
laws for tlie future regulation of their proceedings. They
ordained, that in future none of the public money should be dis-
posed of, nor any money borrowed on the credit of the corpora-
tion, without a vote of the court of d'oyer hundred ; that the
mayors should in future be selected from five burgesses instead
of three, and that these five, instead of being proposed by the
council, should be drawn by lot from the whole body of resident
burgesses : and that in the election of sheriff, the commons
should be at liberty to put forward a candidate. They made
various other regulations for the management of public affairs ;
and thus was an important revolution effected without legislative
interference.! The party which combined, subscribed funds and
* The rights of the freemen of the city of Cork asserted, ami the several
abuses and usurpations of the constitution poiuled out, printed in 1759.
t lb.
IxXXvi INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
by their zealous exertions succeeded in eftecting these changes
was the germ of that famous body called the " friendly club"
which has ruled the city to the present day.
A satirical writer,* who wrote in 1737, and seems to have been
of no party, but rather a misanthrope, slightly alludes to these
contentions. After designating the majority of the council as
cyphers, and asserting, that " any artful intriguing figure, by
joining himself to a good many of them, will swell the number
and sway aside to whatever he has a mind to carry," he tells
lis, that the commons, after great contentions, " at length having
shot all the arrows in the whole quiver of malice at each others-
constrained the council to submit, and enacted by-laws for pre-
venting the disposal of the public money by the common council
alone.
Disputes however, soon after arose between the council and
commons, respecting the right of originating grants of the public
money, and, doubtless, upon minor topics. On the subject of
the court of d'oyer hundred, Alexander the coppersmith says,
that there, instead of a multitude of hearers, you find a hundred
speakers, and that it might be properly called a court of confu-
sion. It is to be regretted that he declines entering upon the
politics of the city; but even the words in which he dechnes it
may be thought to throw a little light on the subject. He says,
" to speak exactly of this court and the common council, and of
the cause of their eternal clashing, it would be absolutely neces-
■ sary to say something of the two parties that sprung from the
ballast act, because by the superiority either may have in the
corporation, aref in a capacity to influence the most considerable
affairs of the city. But the conclusion is not only still recent
amongst us, but a particular detailof the views, interest, "briguing
meetings," violent speeches, and warm replies of the individuals
of this court and council, would perhaps, raise stale dissensions,
and kindle a flame that is almost extinguished."
We shall now proceed to give a picture of society in Cork, as
drawn by Alexander the coppersmith, whose pamphlet we have
* Remarks on the religion, trade, government, police, customs, manners,
and maladies of the city of Cork, by Alexander the coppersmith. Printed
by George Harrison, 1737.
t Sic.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixxxvii
already quoted. He most impartially sneers at all religious
denominatioHS, and yet, unlike men of that stamp in the present
day, he is but little disposed to tolerate popery. He divides
the religion of Cork (as appeared from the public edifices for
worship") into episcopacy, presbytery, quakerisni, anabaptism,
huguenotism, hypocrisy, and popery. Of the first he says, "As
the king, lords and commons have ngreed upon the first to be
the most laudable mode of Christianity, I think every wise
man must acknowledge, that in obedience to an act of parlia-
ment we should be all of the established church." He pronounces
the persecuting zeal of presbyterianism as bad as popish cruelty.
He tells us, that as quakerism wars against human nature it can
be of no duration ; and that the anabaptists from the uncomforta-
bleness of their dipping can never rise into power sufficient to do
mischief. He passes over the huguenots, as he would not
reproach a set of exiles in their misery. He then inveighs
against the hypocrites, both protestant and Roman catholic.
He tells us that the views and interest of the five first conspire
the ruin of the last, (the Roman catholics) whom they look upon
as a monster that would devour their liberty, religion and trade.
He is amazed at "the imprudence of the papists, running openly
into every branch of trade, and talking big upon change, and
permitting the importation of such cargoes of priests who swarmed
about the city." He predicts that their bold monoply of home
and foreign trade would create such popular clamour, that at
last they would be controuled by an act of parliament.
As to their manner of carrying on trade, however, he speaks
of it with abhorrence ; and in explanation of the means by which
they engrossed it, he tells us that through wealth, pride, envy,
mutual oppression, protestant indolence, and popish vigilance,
the trade of the city had been forced from its natural course into
another channel within a few years ; that the most considerable
branch of our trade had been the export of great quantities of beef
to our plantations to supply the French, with whom we trafilcked
jn some uninhabited island before Irish ships were obliged to
touch first in England ; but that then the French in galleys of
four or five hundred tons came hither themselves always consigned
to a popish factor, *' whose relations and correspondence," says he,
'* were abroad and union at home, whose diligence being more
11
IxxxVill INTIIODUCTORV ESSAY.
and luxury less than protostants, will at last swallow uj) the trade
and suck the marrow of this city, and like the ivy, will grow to
be an oak, and prove absolute in their power over the conimerco
of those on whom they should be dependant for bread, and" he
proceeds "as a certain baronet observed about four years ago, J/ow
nccHi'c do men of thai religion live in despite of the law, whilst
protestants look idhj on and hy an easiness of temper pecidiar
to themselves, suspend the execution of the laws which never
required, no not at their first maMng, a more severe executioti
than at this day. By running away with this profitable branch, not
only the prejudice they do a protestant trader, but the benefit
arising to popish dealers and tradesmen is destructive of the pro-
testant interest of the city. From the mutual kindness of all men
under oppression and a natural hatred of their oppressors, they deal
with and always employ one another. If a papist at the gallows
wanted an ounce of hemp he'd skip the protestant shops and run
to Mallow-lane to buy it ; and as the jurisdiction they acknow-
ledged is abroad, they would live independent of the state at
home, where they poison all things they touch. They have no
regard to posterity ; they consider nothing but the present ;
their schemes are always big with cunning, they want ingenuity
(ingenuousness) the life of business. In all works, regardless of
the future, they mar the best undertakings, to make Avhat they
can of every thing now."
By this he evidently meai^s, that instead of being anxious to
establish an honourable character and a settled trade, they
regarded only immediate profits, and enhanced them by false-
hood and fraud, by the aid of which also their competition
became ruinous to protestant traders. " They dishearten," says
he, " all industry, which when beggary is the reward of, idleness
and painfulness are of equal value. The legs of that trade will
surely have the cramp whose feet are kissed by a papist, and
the most growing factory, the minute it is mimicked and
attempted to be carried on by them, I would instantly give up,
pronounce its ruin, and without hesitation, sign its death-
warrant." These passages might perplex us, were it not for the
subsequent mention of false weights and adulterations by Avhich
they were enabled to ruin the honest trader.
Of Mallow-lane, he says, "This suburb, by various acts of
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Ixxxlx
cozenage, its happy situation and possession of the weigli-liouses,
has branched itself into such business as ahnost overtops its
mother, which in time, hke hairs, in appearance dead, will by
being quic t in water, turn into snakes, and in continuance get
stings and do much mischief. This should surely awaken the
jealousy of all, to find the root impaired and the city impover-
ished, to the enriching a set of upstart beggars most of whom
want even common honesty." He condemns the erection of
the weigh-houses in this lane, and prefers even Gallows-green
for that purpose, "because every country fellow who has generally
something to buy when he sells his butter, must of necessity
stalk through the whole city, where he has an opportunity
of gaping at every shop, which then has an equal chance of
receiving his money." *' Pray," says he, " is it not a very
inicomfortable sight for any protestant shop-keeper of this city,
to behold thatch and a skylight edified into cant windows and
slat, wherein a flat footed Milesian shall have the impudence to
have his table graced with a chaplain and pinched diaper, and
in a pair of protestant scales shall outweigh the city, and raise
himself from thongs and lank hair to pumps and a periwig. * * *
They buy as dear, retail cheaper, live better and grow richer
than other fair dealers in the city. This they perform by false
weights and adulterating their wares."' He then relates a piece
of knavery of a butter buyer, and proceeds. "They rob a man of
his purse, and never bid him stand. Highwaymen defy, but
Mallow-lane men pretend justice. As the very fragments ofthr-
rogueries of this lane would feast all the bites in the kingdom, it
would be an endless work to publish them all." He thou yj^
furnishes us with a model of a butter buyer, under the
designation of maitre Coquin, " who," he says, " would ride
fifty miles to execute a cool deliberate act of butter roguery,"
and then concludes the subject of j\Iallow-lane, " that nursery of
villainy, which should be suftered to continue no longer, but
presented and removed as a nuisance ; for when honesty was
sick in Glanfiesk, she crawled to Mallow-lane to die, and gave
her last groan among the butter buyers."
He passes the following strictures on the conchu-t of the pastors
of every flock in this city, which he says, were eounnunicated Ic
him : —
XC irs'TKODUCTORV E.SSAV.
1. — lie ijiiys, tlioy dill not endeavour with all their might la
gain the good Avill of their liock, but were ill livers ; that they
ought to get their good will by walking uprightly, not by
crouching.
2. — That in their preaching they were too lavish of words-
to enforce the reverence due to themselves,
3. — -That they were not courteous, and that some possessed
false gravity. " As to the younger dealers in divinity/' says he,
"of whom this city is pretty well stocked, they belie the register
book, ante-date their age, set their faces in a frame, and plait
their brows into such an affected sadness as makes Christianity
look uncomfortable."
4. — That they catechise not in the elements of religion, which
it was their duty to perform, unless they had a flock of old sheep
without lambs. "Thus," says he^" many who are well skilled in
the dark backshambles of divinity, for want of this catechising,
lose their way in the main street of religion."
5. — That they visit not the sick of purse as well as of body
and soul, and take no pains to heal fractured neighbours by
cordial interpositic«is.
This writer denies the legality of the power exercised by the
aldermen of the ward, of whom there were then six, who
(.iispensed justice each in a separate precinct or v/ard ; and he
charges them with leaving blank warrants with their wives, to
be used in cases of contempt of summons, without regard to the
necessity uf proving the contempt on oath.
His book contains some passages relative to the staple court,
which, as it has fallen into some oblivion, requires a little notice.
We learn that the society of the staple was originally founded
for the regulation and support of the woollen manufacture, and
was authorized by charter to erect a weigh house and build store
houses for the staple commodities, and to receive all customary
fees, profits and rights to be disposed of for the benefit of the
mayor, constables and society of the staple. When our author
wrote, it appears that the authority of this society was, as he
expresses it, nearly defunct, and that, like fame, it was only the
echo of its former actions. "For," says he, " the very founda-
tion upon which the staple stood, is sapped by the irresistable
force of various acts of parliament, and even in London, which
INTRODUCTOUY ESSAY. XCl
Has the parent that supported it, it'.s nut only detiinet, but its
very memory is forgot, for the woollen manufaeture having run
into another channel, that fountain was dried up."' "Thus" con-
tinues he, "I ha'i'e often marvelled at the high hopes some have ,
conceived, and the great profits and pleasure they have proposed
from the duties their power coidd fasten upon popish commodities,
and what severities they thundered against the dealers of that
religion, who stand as secure from the bolts of the staple as the
staple is from the pope's bull." "And indeed," says he, "after the
strictest scrutiny I could make into any privilege they can
squeeze out of their charter, I really find that they have a
right merely to exist, and meet by courtesy in the city court,
where by the power of custom they may shut their door, talk of
tlieir grants, swallow their sack, and do nothing.
As a consequence of his previous remarks on the authority of
aldermenof the wards and rights of the staple, he infers the unlaw-
fulness of certain acts of these bodies; and as such acts have
no place in our days, we may mention them. He tells us, that
they made such as were not free of their respective trades pay-
something every quarter for working at their mystery. He says,
that the original intention of incorporating tradesmen into
companies, was to discover and prevent frauds in trade, " which
valuable qualification'' says he "they have converted into a power
to raise money, oppress workmen, and hunt them out of the city."
Hence he deduces also the illegality of the commitments by
some mayors, " who fancy" says he" " they can keep any man
in gaol twenty-four hours without a warrant."
He rails at the saucy petulance of attorneys pleading in the
city courts, and the patience of some mayors in bearing it ; also the
cruelty of bailiffs in their manner of dragging prisoners to gaol.
He tells us that the bailifts had above one hundred and fifty
who paid them so much a week, from fears of vile treatment in
case they should unhappily fall into their abominable paws
hereafter, and that not only those wh6 had been, but those who
feared to be in their merciless clutches paid tribute to their cruelty
and power. "With what impudence," says he, " will some of
these fellows approach a merchant and sneer familiarly in his
face upon change ; and they get more hats in walking the street
than a mayor out of his time. * * * * If ever I see an lionest
XCU INTIIODUCTOUY ESSAY.
m;iu salute a bailiH' in the street. I will inunediately i)ronouncc
liiiu his pensioner."
lie indulges in a iieree philippic against the ecclesiastical
courts and their jurisdiction in cases of defamation. " I have
known," says he, " an honest industrious tradesman reduced in
this seminary of injustice to an ace of a beggar, for calling a man
in the height of his passion, a dirty dog." He also inveighs
against the practice (which we need hardly state is unknown at
tlie present day) of wrapping a man in a sheet and exposing him
in the church with a publication of his crimes.
He objects to the practices of the bankers of Cork. He
says, they advanced the lodgments of the merchants to others
whom they thus enabled to undermine the merchants. " Thus,
the banker," says he, " digs a grave for the merchant who gave
him life." It further appears from his expressions, that the
bankers did not confine themselves to the business of banking
but carried on trade as merchants also. This he greatly disap-
proves of, because as the bankers had the advantage of knowing
every man's weakness it was in their power to monopolize.
Pie informs us that in Bristol there was not one banker. He
condemns the Cork bankers for their practice of engrossing
wool, and mentions an instance of their sending a "caterer" for
this purpose to Clonmel, which raising a clamourous outcry
among the clothiers, the bankers were forced to disown the
transaction.
He tells us that the practice of plundering wrecks was not
confined to the west, but had been practiced upon the very
margin of the liberties of the city. He alludes to the custom of
duelling, and tells the merchants that they ought to leave the
practice to the esquires, whose deaths can be no loss to their
families. " Dealers," he says, " sometimes quarrel by a saw pit,
yet must fight upon change," * * * " where true cowards meet
to be bound over," " I am sure" says he, " he that will draw his
sword ui^on full change, would creep into the scabbard from fear
when tis empty."
He objects to the practice of smuggling, which it appears was
not confined to the poor, but " dealers of consequence and men
of fortune" practised it.
INTRODUCTORY KSSAY. XClll
lie reproves the splendour of funerals iu the city,* and tlie
hixury in diet '' bordering upon stark gkittony." He says, " the
immoderate feasting of this town destroys as many as the fasting
of another." He condemns tlie obscene talk of the citizens,
which however, he says, " mostly afflicts some okl dealers in the
city." He denounces the custom of swearing, and tells us what
may surprise ns, that " amongst the very army, swearing was
out of fashion." He notices the profligacy of the young men
who he says were debilitated at thirty.
"We have here selected all such particulars as appeared
characteristic of the city and the time. We have before us a
short critical review of the work, by Yv'illiam I3oles, a bitter
opponent,! which enables us to judge that most of the statements
of Alexander cannot be far from the truth, inasmuch as they are
not here denied. Boles urges, that by presbyterian persecution
Alexander means the behaviourof the sects to the qnakers in New
England, but that he should distinguish between the cruel spirit
of Boston and the fair charitable tempers of the presbyterians
of Cork. He says that he can't find the coppersmith in any of
the religious sects of the city. If it be possible to fix such a vagrant
in religion, he thinks he perceives him among the papists, from
his long abode amongst them in France, and from the paternal
cordial advice he gives them for a reformation of their conduct
as to the prudential part of life ; from his overlooking the absurd-
ity of their religious tenets, and postponing their more abomin-
able practices to a few triflng errors in trade. He says, " In this
coppersmith's remarks upon Mallow-lane, he has blattered forth
a crowd of general crimes without entering into particulars, from
which, doubtless, he has been bribed into a concealment,
because the single instance he gives of their roguery is notoriously
false, though it might have been easy for Alexander to publish
a hundred true. This plaiidy betrays his corruption."'
"We shall now endeavour to give some account of the rise of
the fi'iendly club. We have seen how the popular party had
defeated the aldermen, and introduced a new course of govern-
* Zacliary Travcrs, a respectable citizen, by his will dated in l()75, desires
that he may be buried "without pomp of aldermen."
t Printed by George Harrisson, at the corner of Meeting-house lane, 17-')7.
xciv INTRO nrrTORV essay.
ment founded on popular principles. They then raised an
outcry against the peculation of one of the city officers,* who
appears to have been the chamberlain,f and although that person
had previously obtained a regular acquittance, they prevailed
by their clamour in causing a heavy equity suit to be undertaken
against him. The suit seems to have proved abortive, but the
party, by this and similar agitation, acquired such popularity,
that they pushed themselves into office, and soon obtained the
direction of corporate affairs.
Having tasted the sweets of power, they resolved it should
be lasting, and for the purpose of making it so, they adopted
measures which gradually rendered them as unpopular as their
predecessors. They procured the freedom for their own
followers, and rejected the claims of many who were entitled
by birth or servitude : and in order to encrease their influence
without obstruction from the commons, they took advantage
of an exception in a by-law, which enabled the council alone
to give the freedom to persons of quality or distinction, who
should happen at any time to be in the city, such persons not
being under the degree of esquires. Under colour of this
proviso, they admitted a great many strangers and non-residents. X
The origin of their power is thus described by one of their
enemies in the year 1753. Addressing the freemen, he says,
*' There were persons who wanted to get into power, and for
this end they threw dust in your eyes ; they amused you with
false alarms that you were wronged, that your money was em-
bezzled, that all power was in one chain, and that if you would
bring them into offices they would reform all. But how have
they answered these great ends ? Truly, not unlike a man that
spits in your face and pretends it is but to clean it." Another
says. "They engaged the city in contentious law suits ; made
by-words to raise party divisions, and keep up a spirit, to divert
the city from the search which was needful to remove the mask,
imder which they disguised their actions, with public clamour,
and the name of public good, a specious pretence to amuse,
while they minded their own views to get into power, and
* Rights of the freemen asserted, — p. 31.
f ib. p. 44, this seems to have occiutpiI in 172'?, ?pp printed by-law, p. 28,
I Riglits (if the freeman, — p. 31.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XCV
establish themselves therein ; they apphed themselves heartily
to make freemen, and were careful to have them bound to serve
iheir interest ; to postpone or deny such as would not come into
their schemes. If an election for any office or employment was
on foot, they applied the whole force of influence and that of all
their friends to it ; they treated, they bribed, they amused, they
threatened : if a freeman was in debt, they bought up all his
notes, and if he did not vote with them, they distressed him,
arrested him, and put him into prison : they would not deal
with any that would not come into their measures, and used
their influence that no one else should. If any person was not
liked by them, or was opposite to them, or obstructed their views,
they employed the public money, and had a suit against him,
and this gave them an opportunity of dealing it out to lawyers
and attorneys, to retain them in their interest; for they were
never close-fisted to their friends, as it cost them nothing ;
but had consultations and appointments at taverns, and these
at the taverns of such as must vote with them, for that was
always the condition of the bargain. Here they gave many
and abundant fees, and the bills were never taxed or looked into,
but paid by their attorneys and agents."*
* Rights of the freemen, page 42. This tract contains an extract from the
writer of 1753 above mentioned, from which we take the following passage.
"Their club was formed under the rule and government of two or three
leading members. Here questions on all matters were previously put, how
and in what manner sums of money are to be raised, and for what uses, and
who is to be vexed for non-compliance with their measures ; who shall be
mayors, sheriffs, common speaker, council man, alderman of the ward, &c.
These schemes so laid are thus executed. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Sheriffs, and
Mr. Common Speaker, put their power forward. Mr. Mayor must call a
council, but so as to take care none but his own party know for what end ; he
counts noses, and if he sees all safe, that the majority is of the sides of the
junto for to raise money, make freemen, or put in or out of office, or undertake
law suits to vex others, or to pay an unreasonable bill of costs; pop! it is
proposed, sure is the word, it's passed, but if the majority be not on his side,
he either proposes some indifferent matter, or dismisses the council till
further opportunity.
The orders of the club being thus put into action, (if it might not be put
to account of the contingencies,) is posted. If there be the least danger of
an opposition, the friends far and near are summoned, and Mr. Mayor takes
care to make his posting quadrate with the time of their arrival ; but if they
12
XCVl INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
Their power seems to have been quite established in the year
1740; for we find it objected against them, that from about
that year to the year 1753, no pubHc accounts were examined.
Formerly they interfered actively in parliamentary elections.
We are unable to ascertain when the party assumed the form of
a club. The earliest document in the possession of their
Secretary, is a list of their members in the year 1 740. The
principles of the club have not been committed to writing.
Their journals consist merely of the admission or rejection of
new members, with some expulsions of old ones, for acting in
opposition to the rules of the body.
The enemies of the club, in their disappointment, looked back
with some favour on the former corporation and the government
of the old aldermen,* who, we are told, though less active in the
support of their own influence, were more opulent than the
present,! and who though they usurped all power, disposing of
the public money and all employments, and moulding the corpo-
ration according to their pleasure by the admission of freemen,
not according to right but by favour, ;]: yet supported the dignity
of the city and the magistracy ; erected several good and useful
chance not to be punctual, or that he thinks the question is like to go against
his friends, he has an adjournment at hand till things are ripe : mean time,
all hands to work, the whole junto operate ; it is consulted who has an inter-
est with such a freeman; who has influence upon another; and if they or
any of them are rusty, he must be turned out of office ; if he be in trade,
they nor any they can influence must deal with him ; if he is in debt, he must
be pushed to compliance ; if it happens he is not indebted to one of the junto,
his debt or note must be bought up ; if they cannot make the person to whom
he is indebted to work him to their end, another must have a present, and
some expectation in future, to bring him to the lure or pecuniary daub, to be
ushered in the next bill of costs, probably under the notion of such or such a
consultation ; or he must have an entertainment at his house, and the bill
must neither be inspected nor docked ; if he is a lawyer, he must be employed
in their suits ; if an attorney, the same ; the first must have his fees doubled,
and the latter must make a large bill of costs, not to be inspected into nor
taxed, and in all cases Mr. Mayor and the rest of the operators in the scheme
must be indemnified, let him or them act ever so partially, as it is to serve the
interest of their side, out of the city money,"*
* ib. page 53.
* Rights of the freemen, p 27. t il'. p. 59. + ib. p. 5.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XCVll
buildings ; took care to make the servants appointed by tlieni
do their duty, and suffered no embezzlements of the public
funds ; and our author asserts, that it was believed by most
people, that they were more scrupulous of mispending or mis-
applying the public money than their own.* It is possible that
these representations may be partially true, for the opulence of
the old aldermen before alluded to, might, if considerable, have
placed them comparativsly above sordid motives, and made them
content with power and patronage,
Mr. Henry Boyle, of Castlemartyr, one of the national party
called patriots, took part against the club, and became tlie chief
supporter of its opponents. In this he did not merely keep his
party together, but he exercised so commanding an influence
that the club was furnished with a cogent argument in favour of
their cause. They proclaimed that their endeavours were
directed to save the city from the condition of a borough ;f and
there seems no reason to doubt their claims or their merits in
this respect. Whether the Boyle family had formerly possessed
influence over the aldermen we have no means of deciding, but
from the total silence of all our authorities we are confident they
had not.
On the election of corporate officers in the year 1751, parties
were nearly balanced and the contest v^as very violent. The
election lasted two days. The first was occupied with the choice
of the commons speaker ; the second with that of the magis-
trates. The victory was gained by the club at an expense (as
their opponent asserts) of £1000. A parliamentary election
quickly followed, and though on this occasion the freeholders
were a portion of the constituency, the club took a prominent
part in the transaction, and with so much zeal, that one of its
leading members was said to have offered £500 for the encourage-
ment of a subscription in support of its interest. Mr. Thomas
Newenham of Coolmore, was put forward by Mr. Boyle, and
supported by his influence ; his competitor was Mr. Henry
Cavendish, supported by the friendly club. On this occasion we
find the state of affairs thus described by a partisan of Mr.
• Rigtitk of the freemen, pp. G, 27.
fib. p. 30.
XCVm INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
Newenham's.* *' This city, sir, of ours, has very little curious
or worth the attention of a traveller ; we have but few public
buildings of any note and as few places of genteel diversion ;
our people mostly mind the grand article of their trade which
gives us a name abroad and brings us money home ; yet makes
but a small shew amon^ the~people, being engrossed by a few
who have neither a benevolent spirit to do any public good, or a
heart open to any thing more than barely their own necessities ;
indeed a spirit of pride and party zeal reigns in a high degree
with many, who sticK not at great expense in actions base and
quite unworthy the dignity of men. No public advantage is
proposed by one, but, by the other party it's opposed ; thus they
clash for envy or contention, and the good all would desire, by
none can be obtained. This spirit enters every act, every scene
of public concern in our city. We now have a place of dignity
just void, and all hands and hearts are at work to fill the same ;
the reigning party fury now roars and gnashes her angry teeth
as fearing her power will sink in supplying this vacancy. The
city's quite wild ; some say one man, some say another shall
be put in ; and to enforce it, some spend their money, some waste
their time, few consider the worth of either, but most like
madmen, act as wild fancy governs or party zeal commands."
We are introduced by this writer to supposed meetings of the
leaders of the club, and of others within its influence, under
fictitious names, indicative of their personal characteristics.
An abstract of the pamphlet stating the real names of the
individuals, will be found in the appendix. One of them was
alderman Adam Newman, who was afterwards in 1773 presented
with the freedom of Dublin in a silver box, for his spirited con-
duct as a magistrate in protecting the trade and manufactures of
Ireland ; from which we may infer that the club did not differ
from Mr. Boyle on national questions. The same may be inferred
from the absence of all accusations against the club on these
points in every tract we have seen. The pamphlet before us
indeed alludes to the candidate put forward by the club, as a
* These particulars are obtained from a tract or squib, entitled, "A
ramble through Bagdad, in a letter from Philologos to his Friend.
Bagdad : printed by Young Cutty Mamy, 1751."
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XCIX
foreigner born to hate us, and the dangerous state the kingdom
was in, of being swallowed up by the interest of another ; but
seems to have no ground for the alarm, except the circum-
stance of the candidate being an Englishman. Altogether this
pamphlet is very dull and pointless ; but it serves to shew the
violence to which party strife may arrive without any marked
difference of political opinions; a state of things at present
observable in the United States of A.merica. There was it seems
no catholic or antinational party of note or activity sufficient to
unite the parties before us, against what they would have con-
sidered a common enemy.
The club did not comprise the freeholders, and was less
successful in the parliamentary than the civic contests; for we find
that Mr. Newenham was elected. At the following general
election in 1761, that gentleman was defeated, and the members
returned were, Mr. Hely Hutchinson and Sir John Frek'e, Bart.
The latter was an alderman of the city. This fact combined with
the circumstance that Mr. Newenham was the defeated candi-
date, leads to the natural supposition that the victory was gained
by the exertions of the club. However this may be, we have dis-
covered no traces of any ruling influence of the Boyle family in the
city elections since that period; neither have we ascertained that
the friendly club has since interfered in parliamentary contests ;
but they have to the present day disposed of the election of city
offices, almost without dispute. Up to a late period, the club was
divided into parties under the leadership of particular individuals,
distinguished by no difference of opinion or principle. This arose
out of the natural endeavours of particular families to obtain the
patronage of the city for themselves, their connexions and friends.
Hence in elections for admitting new members into the club, it
was usual for the candidates to be sharply opposed and black-
beaned by those members who were not of the party under whose
auspices they attempted to come in. But notwithstanding the
difficulties which this course opposed to the admission of
members, the numbers of the club became gradually so great
that private influence had greatly declined, when the impendence
of corporate reform destroyed the interest of its proceedings,
the exertions of its members, and of cour&e, the exercise of
influence, if any had survived.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
The right to the freedom of the city by birth or servitude,
which had been long denied, was at last asserted and established
by the exertions of Mr. Richard Fitton, in the year 1777. Attempts
were, some years ago, made to re-establish a similar right in all
foreign artificers, &c. resident in the city, under certain rules
formerly made by the Irish government, under the authority of
an old statute,* and which had been acted on for several years.
The question, however, was not brought to a judicial determi-
nation. Had the attempt been successful, it would have
transformed corporations more, perhaps, than the recent statute
for re-modelling those bodies. The right claimed, was opposed
on the plea, that the freedom under the act, was of an inferior
or limited nature; but this could hardly have been true ; for one
of the sheriflfs of Cork, in the year 1686, (Edward Tucker,") had
obtained his freedom under the act, and in no other way. It
appears, however, that the principal object of the rule, was to
enable strangers to carry on trade in towns, which the corpora-
tions at that time would not permit, but which has been since
established here by long usage, in all branches, except, as it
would seem, in the sale of butchers' meat. In this article,
however, the corporation appears to deny the right even of free-
men to dcal,except under their authority. f -
In this city, former days were distinguished from the present,
by an unaffected sociability, and a taste for public amusements.
In Smith's time, (1750,) the citizens resorted to a planted green
on Haman's marsh, where the mansion-house now stands, and
were regaled by a band of music supported by subscription. In an
assembly-house adjoining, were assemblies twice a week, besides
a weekly drum, where card playing and dancing were practised.
There was also a weekly concert of instrumental and vocal music,
*]7 & 18 Car. II. c. 2.
t It is probable that many interesting partrculars in the history of the city
might be obtained from the council books of the corporation, by a more
careful examination than we have been able to bestow on them. Our oppor-
tunities have been insufficient for the examination of any document more
j-ecent than the times when the Roman Catholics ruled the city, except a
book of freemen's admissions. It is to be regretted, that the protestant
council book, relating to the period between 165G and the revolution, is not
now to be found, though in Smith's time it existed, and is quoted by him.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. CI
the profits of which were apphed to a charitable purpose.*
A new assembly house was afterwards erected in Gcorgc's-
street, where gay amusements are still remembered by many.
In 1770, a large room with a music gallery and suitable
apartments, was built in Tuckey-strect, for the use of a musical
club which there held its meetings for several years. A great
change has taken place in these matters ; the general reserve
and exclusiveness of modern manners now confine frivolous
amusements chiefly to private houses, and with the aid of an
increasing religious spirit, have extinguished these establish-
ments. The first mentioned assembly-house has furnished the
site of a place of worship for the methodists; the second, for the
independents, and the music room is temporarily used as a
meeting-house of the Scots church. The principal theatre, built
in 1759, has been lately destioyed by fire; and so feeble is the
taste for the drama, that there is no likelihood of its being-
rebuilt.
In private society, protestants and Eoman catholics have
little intercourse with one another : political differences now
separate them rather more than formerly. Before Roman
catholics obtained political influence, the more respectable
portion of them kept aloof from politics, seeing little to be
gained in their pursuit, and much advantage in social intercourse
with protestants. It is a strange circumstance, that they have
* On the 10th of January, 1744, the charitable and musical society came
to a resohition to apply the surplus funds arising from the subscriptions and
musical performances, to the support of the infirmary, now called the north
infirmary. In the year ending in March, 1750, the surplus fund thus
contributed, was £100 ; and in the same period, the subscribers to the
infirmary contributed £275 12s. lOd., besides which, that establishment
received, in the same year, £34 Is. 2d., the profits of a charity play, and a
donation of £14 15s. 9d. The physicians were, Doctors Flagherty, Gifford,
Frankland, Farmer, Bonbonous, Westrop, Grey, Power, Jenisson, Dominick
Sarsfield and Bayly Rogers. The surgeons were, Messrs. Leslie, Daunt,
Leplant, Byrne and Breviter; the apothecary, Mr. Herrick; the treasurer,
Robert Dring, esq., and the secretary, the Rev. John Baily. The present
state of the charitable infirmary of Cork, 1750. In 1721, a work entitled
"Pietas Corcayie7isis," was published. It gives an account of charitable
foundations, chiefly the Green-coat hospital, and contains engravings of that
building, and Bietridge's and Skiildy's alms-houses.
Cll INTRODUCTORY ESSAY
not long ago placed themselves at the head of society in Cork.
When we consider their amazing industry more than a century
ago, as before described, and also their great numbers, we
might (even upon the principle that "many hands make light
work,") conclude, that they ought, before now, to have far
eclipsed the protestants in wealth and station in the city. The
contrary result has proved the author we have quoted, to have
been a man of uncommon penetration. He tells us, as the
reader may remember, that the Roman catholics of his day
(1737,) had no regard to posterity, and that they considered
nothing but the present. Certainly they left little of this world's
goods to their posterity. It is only within the last half century,
that substantial fortunes have been realized by the lloman
catholics of Cork. Their legal inability to purchase land,
before 1782, can by no means account for these circumstances,
for they would hardly have been ready to retire from trade, and
invest their fortunes in land much before that time.
However, notwithstanding some expressions of Alexander, it
seems probable that their industry in 1737 was successful
chiefly in retail trade, and that wholesale trade, or that of import
and export, was really beyond their means. This branch seems
to have been confined to protestants, and not a numerous
portion of tlrem. In the description of the citizens in 1751,
contained in a foregoing extract, the reader may observe a
statement that the trade of Cork, though great, was engrossed
by a few. It appears to have been then, much more than at
present, confined to persons of wealth and credit; this gave a
monopoly to. capitalists, and kept trade in the hands of a sort
of commercial aristocracy, who finding profits great and easily
acqnired, usually transmitted their capital and pursuits to their
posterity, and as success appeared pretty certain to those
possessed of adequate means, country gentlemen were led to
apprentice their younger sons to merchants. Hence most of the
wealth of Cork, during the last century, was in the hands of
families of standing and education ; and persons of fortune, had
many inducements to reside in the city. Society acquired a
refined and literary tone, following the taste of Pope and
Addison, but of a feeble unsubstantial character. Versification
seems to have been much in vogue, as was also essay writing.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. CUl
A volume was iniblished in 1771, onti(.l(xl,"lhe modern monitor,"
consisting of essays which had, I'rom time to time, appeared
in a Cork newspaper, had been contribxited by several of the
citizens, and may therefore be taken as a fair reflector of tlie
prevailing taste. They indicate a certain amenity and graceful-
ness in the public mind. Among the contiibutors, we have
heard mention of Doctor Longiield, a physician of great emi-
nence, and Mr. Henry Sheares, M.P. father to the more noted
gentlemen of that name. We may also point to the inscription
on the statue of king George II, as creditable to the classic taste
of the city ; it is simple and touching, and most milike the
generality of such compositions.* But we have said that the
literary taste of our city was of an unsubstantial kind. To
exemplify this, we may mention, that at a debating society!
which flourished in former days, one of the topics of discus-
sion was " the power of beauty," and the leading speaker, an old
gentleman, opened his address with the following distich : —
" Old as I am, for ladies' love unfit,
The power of beauty I remember yet."
Of late years, owing perhaps to the general system of credit,
the trade of merchants is carried on as well by those who
possess little or no capital, as by capitalists ; competition has
thus been vastly increased, and profits lowered in proportion.
Success can now be expected only by those who have a certain
talent or tact in the pursuit as well as habits of industry, and
consequently the mercantile profession is not, in general,
regarded as a promising pursuit for young men possessed of
some means. Hence, much of the wealth of Cork, is in the
hands of persons wliose cliief accomplishment is a knowledge
of politics; and so potent is the influence of wealth, that the
example of these persons diff'uses a contempt for mental
cultivation, beyond what is strictly necessary for the business of
* It is as follows. " The citizens of Cork erected this statue to the memory
of King George the lid, in gratitude for the many blessings they enjoyed
during his auspicious reign, a.d. mdcclxii."
f At this society new lines of streets were sometimes proposed, and their
advantages discussed. Murphy's plan of Cork, of the date of 1789 gives the
outlines of proposed improvements.
13
CIV JNTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
life. It is no wonder tlierefore, that learning, science and the
i\no arts, here receive no patronage. Public spirit finds no vent
but in political struggles, or in activity at municipal boards, and
science aims no higher than the investigation of " other people's
affairs."*
The foregoing remarks are applied to the more wealthy and
more influential inhabitants. A better spirit has for some years
prevailed among a comparatively humble class of the citizens.
The public lectures formerly delivered at the Cork Institution,
while that establishment received a parliamentary grant, diffused
a taste for scientific knowledge among persons who had neither
wealth nor influence sufficient to give or to procure support for
the institution. The parliamentary grant was however with-
drawn, on the principle, that if the public taste engendered by
the institution, were too weak to procure private funds for its
support, it was not worth the expenditure of public money. It
is still kept alive by some small resources of its own, but
receives no assistance from the citizens. Some exertions have
been made to induce government to convert it into a university.
A more feasible course would be the subscription of a few
hundred pounds a year, for the restoration of its lectures.
However, the good already done by the institution has not
passed away, and knowledge continues to be cultivated for its
own sake, by many who have least leisure for the purpose.
Another establishment, the Cork library, founded in 1790, is in
a flourishing condition, and the excellent works on almost all
subjects, which are in daily demand among its subscribers, are
a sufficient index of^the advanced state of knowledge among a
portion of the community.
"We hare before us a series of memoranda, kept from 1708,
for about 20 years, which enable us to state the sums then paid
by the principal inhabitants of Cork, for the education of their
children. A sum of 2s. per quarter, or 2d. per week, was paid
for a young child at school. With the age of the child, the sum
varied from that rate up to 10s. per quarter, which however, seems
* Lewis in bis Topographical Dictionary states, that many wealthy families
from distant parts have been induced to settle in the neighbourhood of Cork.
This is certainly a mistake, of which the best proof may be found in the
names of the proprietors of seats and villas as given in that work.
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. CV
to have commanded only an English education, including writing.
Latin was taught at 10s. per quarter. At Voster's school, from
8s. to lOs. per quarter, was paid for writing and arithmetic.
Sometimes these were paid for by the job, as 4 guineas or pounds
for perfecting grown lads in them. Perfection in fencing was
contracted for at a pistole; in navigation and surveying, at £3.
Dancing was taught at from 10s, to 15s. per quarter; to play on
the violin, at 15s. per quarter, the musician to teach three days
in the week; also at lOs. The French language was taught
at a crown per month ; two grown lads at a boai-ding-school in
the country, paid £24 per annum, that is, £12 each. This
procured them diet, lodging and education ; writing, however,
and perhaps arithmetic being separately taught and paid for.
There are also many memoranda relating to other things. The
wages of men servants were sometimes £4 per annum, often £3.
We find a brigadier-general's coachman paid £6 per annum;
women servants were generally paid £3 per annum, but
sometimes much less, as £2 or 30s. per annum, or 8s. per quar-
ter, &c. A nurse received £5 per annum.
The grazing of a horse was paid for ac the rate of from 14s.
to 20s. a quarter, sometimes 18d. per week. To shave a
gentleman, and powder his five sons hair, cost 5s. per quarter.
Washing the clothes of him and his family, was usually contracted
for at £8 a year, sometimes less ; baking for them at 3s 6d. per
quarter. A foil to learn fencing with, cost Is. 3d. Butter in
large quantities was bought at 3d. per lb. We find one instance
of the rent of a stable, viz. £3 per annum. In the year 1712,
the shoeing of a horse cost 5d. or 6d. This is surprizingly low ;
perhaps it means a partial shoeing. In the same year, brandy
cost Is. Ud. per quart: claret, from 9s. to 12s. per dozen: a peck
of oats, 4d. : a quire of paper, 8d.
We have before us an account for work done on " the south
quay and slip," August the 28th, 1708. For this work, three
barrels of lime cost 4s. : sand, Is. : stones, 83. : boatage of the
stones, 5s. : mason's wages were 4s. Gd. : labourer's wages, 3:>.
the funds for the work were paid by the respective constables of
the south-east and south-west quarters of the city. ■
From another account it appears, that iu 171 1, the price of a
barrel of lime was Is. 6d. ; the wages of a labourer lor one dav,
CVl INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
6d., and the v.'ages of a mason about the same uork, (apparently
for one day,) Is. 6d.
Low as the above prices and wages may appear, the rent of
land m Ireland v/as much lower in proportion, being not much
more than one-tenth of its present amount. The expense of
living was perhaps about one-third or one-fourth of what it is at
present. A younger son of an alderman of Cork, who studied at the
Temple in London, has left a memorandum, stating his yearly
expense there, to have been, on an average, £73 3s. per annum,
from June, 1692, to June, 1697. Now supposing the expense of
living to have since increased in the same proportion as the rent
of land in Ireland, similar expenses in London at the present
day, should be over £700 a year.
Mention is sometimes found of remarkable houses in Cork.
Thus in 1704, was "the great messuage or dwelling-house
formerly of Christopher Rye, alderman, situate on the bridge of
Cork." In 1712, were " the walls of an house commonly called
the great house of St. Dominick's, in which the right hon. the
late earl of Inchiquin formerly dwelt," with a garden behind
and a little court-yaixl before it, bounded on the south v,'ith the
old abbey wall, and on the east, with a lov/ partition wall which
then divided it from " the open space commonly called the
green."
Two miles below the city, on the south banks of the river,
are the walls of an old building, called Dundanion castle. This
place belonged for several centuries, to the Galway family,
leading citizens of Cork. They claim descent from John,
brother of Ulick de Burgh, ancestor of the Clanrickard family,
but this extraction is disputed by Mr. Hardiman, in his history
of Galway, on very strong grounds.*
* Their pedigree is printed in Burke's history of the commoners ; it is there
stated that the above John de Burgh assumed the name of Galway, and that
Geoffrey Galway, mayor of Gork in 1430, was his son, and married a daughter
of lord Courcy. It is, however, most improbable that a citizen of Cork
should be son and son-in-law to hibcrnicised lords, at a time when, as we
have already shewn, mutual and implacable detestation and contempt
separated these two classes.
Since the first part of this essay was printed, we have found a manuscript
ii^ the library of Dublin college, containing an account of the political and
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. CVll
For more than two centuries, the corporation of Cork has
possessed a jurisdiction more extensive, perhaps, than any other
city in the United Kingdom. King James I. in the year 160.0,
formed the city and the country around, for the space of three
statute miles, into a distinct county. Commissioners were
appointed to fix the houndaries of the new district. Tiiese
persons seem to have used a very wide discretion, for they gave
the citizens about twice as much land as the King's charter
authorized. The boundary line is in almost every part much
more than three statute miles from the city. On the north it is
full seven miles ; on the south-east it is about six miles. Over
this wide tract of country the crown was thenceforward deprived
of the power of granting commissions of the peace, and resident
gentry were of somewhat less importance there than in the parts
beyond. Perhaps this may in some measure have been the reason
that with the exception of the banks of the river, the north liberties
have scarcely one resident landlord. By the provisions of the
late statute, the whole of this great rural district v/ill be separated
again from the city, except a portion nearly coinciding with the
present legal suburbs on all sides except the east, where it will
ciraiprise the hill osi the north side of the river, as far as the
village of Ballinamought, and the Silver-spring road.
We shall now add a few words on the modern progress of
the city. Cork within its ancient walls, occupied tv/o marshy
islands, separated by a small channel of the river,* still partly
open near Fishamble-lane, and which continues its course
beneath the houses at the south side of Castle-street, till it
reaches the arches under the Grand Parade, at which place it
religious views of the several classes of Irish, which was presented to the
council of Spain, about the year 1618, on the part of the disaiFecteJ Irish.
It is a very intelligent and dispassionate statement, and well worthy of
perusal.
* This channel and the Main-street, intersecting one another at right
angles, divided the old island of Cork into four parts, called quarters,*over
which separate high and petty consUbles were appointed, and which were
separately assessed for public repairs. The external parts of the city were
also divided in a similar manner ; however, from the changes since made in
the mode of applotment, these divisions seem to have fallen into oblivion. —
See Stat. 1 Geo. I. c. IS, where they are enumerated, and are said to have
existed from time immcmuriul.
CVIU INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
had passed the walled islands. There existed, however, from
time immemorial, other marshy islands above and below the
original city; and though the citizens in ancient times, extended
.their improvements on the main-land to the north and south,
many centuries elapsed before their exertions were directed
towards the marshes ; however, in the reign of Charles II, the
corporation began to grant leases of these tracts, and in a few
years they became important portions of the city, which in 1750
according to Smith, was thrice as large as it had been forty years
before. The advance or rather restoration of the city on the
main-land, is of older date; in a tract printed in 1622, the
parts on the hill about Shandon castle, are mentioned as an
integral portion of the city.* In Storey's map, of which this work
contains a copy, may be seen the extent of Cork, in 1690.
We have seen how the corparation under the friendly club,
Avere taunted with their neglect of public improvements. In
1760, they began to obviate complaints on this head; in that
year, they purchased the houses at the north side of Tuckey's
lane, for £1000, leaving the materials to the seller, and thus
opened a good passage to Tuckey's bridge, leading to
Dunscombe's marsh, then an advanced part of the city. In
1762, they erected on that bridge, a handsome equestrian
statue of king George II. Improvements thus begun, were
continued with redoubled energy. The shambles, which
formerly occupied the bank of the before-mentioned channel
near Castle-street, were transferred to an ampler space on
Dunscombe's marsh ; Castle street was widened ; the water-
courses which had separated the marshy islands, and then formed
canals, intersecting the city in various directions, were gradually
filled up or arched over, and with the adjoining quays thus
added to them, formed those spacious streets by which Cork is
* We extract the passage. "The citie of Corke hath his beginning
upon the side of an hill which discendeth easily into one wide and long streete,
the only principall and chiefe streete of the cittie. At the first entrance there
is a castle called Shandon castle, and almost over against it a church built
of stone, as the castle is a kind of marble of which that country yeeldeth store.
The cittie hath many houses built of the same stone and covered with slate.
But the greatest number of houses are built of tyniber or mudde walls, and
covered with thatch."
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. OIX
now tlistinguislicd. Old persons still t(>ll us of the " docks"
as they were called, which brought ships to the doors of all
the houses with the tides, and offensive efHuvia on the retreat
of the waters. Those days have passed away, and the muddy
channels are now superseded, by firm pavement. For
many years however, Cork continued to present an appearance
of neglect and filth ; the quay-walls of the rivor were of very
rude construction until of late years, and the footways of the
streets were not paved with flags,* until about the year 1826.
We have not ascertained whether the "docks" were filled up
at the expense of the corporation ; that body has long withheld
its assistance from the improvement of the modern parts of the
city, but admits an obligation to pave the ancient street called
the Main-street, for which however, we have discovered no
grounds. Most of the recent improvements have arisen from the
establishment of certain boards having powers of taxation.
The late Mr. Inglis, an experienced tourist, has pironounced
Cork to be a very fine city, but deficient in public buildings.
Since his sojourn here, that deficiency has been rapidly
disappearing. The picturesque appearance of Cork is remarked
by Mr. Inglis, who however speaks of it only in general terms.
We would therefore direct the stranger's attention to the view
from Pope's quay near the new Dominican chapel, towards the
"west; the view from the South Mall both to the east and west;
the views of the city from the ascent leading to Sunday's-well,
from the northern bastions of Elizabeth's fort, and from various
other elevated points, and lastly, to the views from the
Navigation wall.
The striking nature of these views is owing to the abrupt
ascent of the hills, and the extension of handsome suburbs along
their sides. The oldest of these suburbs seems to have been
that called Sunday's well. This quarter from its supposed
healthfulness was sometimes styled "Little Buxton." On a stone
in the wall of a house is the word "Buckston," with the date 1 760.
The steep side of the hill for a mile westward is crowded with
* A part of the east side of the Novth-main-street had been flagged. This
place was distinctively styled " the flags ;" there were also two small portions
of flagged way oa "the Mall," now the east side of the Grand Parade.
ex IjSTROIMTrTORY ESSAY.
nival residences, many of them old fashioned and meanly buiU.
This snburb is rather one of fashion, and has lost its reputation
for superior salubrity : but the encreasing demand for country
houses makes itself felt even in this quarter, and there have been
several good ones lately erected here.
The road leading eastward to Blackrock, on the south side of
the river, seems next to have attracted attention as a site for
country residences, and contains some houses of considerable
age. But the moderate elevation of the ground, has compelled
it to yield to the bill on the opposite side of the river, on which
a nev/ and beautiful portion of the city is rapidly arising.
In the year 1689 was erected St. Patrick's bridge, opening
a convenient passage to this remarkable outlet. This bridge
joins the marshy part of the city to the foot of a high and
precipitous hill, up v/hich the street proceeds directly from the
bridge and soon becomes too steep for any but pedestrians ; but
from the lower part, roads branch off towards the east, affording
easy ascents to lofty situations commanding bird's-eye views of
the well known magnificent scenery of the river Lee. From the
spread of improvement along its banks, the scenery has become
so beautiful, that the citizens have imbibed an ardent taste for
the enjoyment of fine prospects, and a house and garden on this
hill are chief objects of ambition among all classes. This taste
has long prevailed, but it received its chief impulse about ten
years ago, when the new road towards Ballyhooly gave a new and
more practicable passage up the hill, and brought into use as
building ground a large space along its course. Since that
period, a sort of Irish Clifton has sprung up. The houses are
well built and faced with Roman cement, and a chapel of ease
in the Gothic style with a handsome spire has been erected for
the numerous population here congregated. The view of this
rising suburb and the rest of the hill beyond it to the east,
■which has long been graced with fine mansion residences, is
best seen from the navigation wall, a beautiful walk which
strangers are not likely to find in their casual rambles.
COUK HEMEMBRANCER.
Cork, which for extent and importance has been for many
years considered the second city in Ireland, derived its ancient
names Corcach and Corcach Bascoin, from its situation on marshy
islands, on the river Lee. Sir James Ware says that in the time
of Ptolemy, the Coriondi inhabited the middle and northern parts
of the comity ; he is of opinion that some traces of their name
may be observed in the word Cork. The former derivation
however appears to be the most probable. The city in latter times
extended over other marshy islands, separated by channels, which
have been since the middle of the last century arched over, and
fomi the sites of some of the principal streets ; their direction and
number may be observed in the map of the city of the year 1545,
annexed to this work, at which period, the city appears to have
been chiefly confined to two of those islands, separated by a
channel of the river and connected by a bridge.
The writer of the life of St. Nessan records that that saint was
educated under St. Barr, at a school or monastery founded by the
latter at Lough Eire, to which, as the habitation of wisdom, and the
sanctuary of all christian virtues, such numbers of disciples flocked
from all parts, that it changed a desert as it were into a large city.
Where this lough was situate is a matter of uncertainty.* Sir
James Ware says, " I take this lake called by the name of Lough
Eire, to be that hollow or basin in which a great part of the city
* It is not improbable that a small lake on the south-west siJc of the city,
about twenty or thirty acres' in extent, ami culled " the Lough," is the lake
alluded to, as is suggested iu the Introductory essay.
^ CORK REMEMBRANCER.
of Cork now stands, and which the industry of the inhabitants
hath from time to time reclaimed and built on :" It is described by
the writer of the life of saint Talmach to stand in the south and
maritime parts of Munster : And the author of the life of saint
Barr acquaints us that that saint built a monastery, and made a
settlement near this lough. Though this account does not deter-
mine the precise spot where it was situated, it however gives rise
to a presumption, that the city was originally built on a limestone
rock, on the south side of the river, near the cathedral of St. Finbar ;
yet it does not contradict the received opinion* of the city having
been founded about the middle of the ninth century, and enclosed
with walls by the Danes, who at the same time founded several
other maritime towns. Such is Smith's opinion, who seems to
have come to this conclusion from the circumstance, that the part
enclosed with walls was different from, and excluded the sites of
the Cathedral and Gill-abbey. Some suggestions on these matters
will be found in the Introductory essay prefixed to this work.
A.D. 125 -A- memorable battle was fought at Ard-Neimheidh, i. e. the
Great Island between Niadh Nuaget and ^Engus monarch of
Ireland, in which conflict the former recovered the crown of
Munster from the latter.
528 The memorable battle of Cuille was fought, wherein great
numbers of the people of this county perished. Keating says,
that the ill success of this engagement was owing to the prayers
of a devout woman who implored Heaven for vengeance on that
people who had used her ill.
548 This year Munster was afflicted with a great plague, called in
the Irish MSS. Chromchonaille,
604 Saint Colman, who is mentioned in the life of Saint Brendan
to have been chief among the Saints, died in this year. It was he
who founded the chm'ch of Cloyne.
* Stanihurst, who wrote in the reign of queen Elizabeth, describes Cork as
" an ancient city in the province of Munster, builded as it should appear, by
the Easterlings or Norwaies :" these people are stated by Hooker to be the
same as the Ostmen or Danes, of whom he also remarks that they " builded
the ancientest and most part of the cities and towns upon or near the sea side,
within that land, as namely, Dublin, Watcrford, Cork, Limerick and others."
CORK REMEMBRANCER. d
The Cathedral was founded and dedicated to Saint Finbarr, of a.D. G50
whom it is recorded that he Uved at Cloin, about fifteen miles
from Cork, and died, in the month of October, a quiet death,
surrounded by his friends, but in what year it is not certain.
His body was conveyed to Cork, and there honorably buried iiT
his church ; and his bones were put into a silver chest some time
after. The writer of his life begins thus : " The most holy elect
of God and most worthy Priest Barr, was born of the sept called
Ibruin Ratha of Connaught."
Bede mentions another plague through Ireland this year, and GG4
says, that on the third of May there was a great eclipse of the sun
about the tenth hour.
Another plague raged violently this year. 685
The city of Cork and the adjacent country were ransacked by 820
a fleet of Danes.
In the latter end of March this year, Hugh Dorndighe, being 822
monarch of Ireland, there happened such terrible shocks of
thunder and lightning, that above a thousand persons were
destroyed between Corca-Bascoiu and the sea side. At the same
time the sea broke through its banks in a violent manner, and
overflowed a considerable tract of land. The island then called
Inisfadda, i.e. the Long Island, on the west coast of this country,
was forced asmider, and divided into three parts. This island lies
contiguous to two others, viz : Hare Island and Castle Island,
which, lying in a range, and the ground being low, might have
been very probably then rent by the ocean.
The city was devastated by the Danes. 833
During the reign of Connor, monarch of Ireland, this country 837
was miserably harassed by the Danes, who at that time began to
settle in the island. Among other devastations, Inis-Damhly, i.e.
Cape Clear, and also Cork, were plundered and burned.
Feidlemid, son of Crinhain, was king of Munster at this time. 8io
The Ulster annals describe him as the best of the Scots, a scribe,
and an anchorite. His works, with the titles of them, are lost.
Donaldus, called " scriba Corcagiensis," a learned man men- 874
tioned in the annals of the four masters, flourished about this time.
Cork was this year burned and plundered by the Danes, who in 913
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D, the year 915 also (according to some manuscript annals in Irish)
laid waste the greatest part of Munster, The following year they
were defeated by the Munster men in a pitched battle ; but in
Leinster, the Danes on their side vanquished the Irish.
918 The Danes of Munster, being then in peaceable possession of
this Province, joined a party of their countrymen from Scandinavia,
and sailed to Albania, i. e. Scotland, where they committed great
ravages.
960 The Danes being at war with the Irish, burned and plundered
Cork, which was also wasted by them in the years 978 and 995.
It was then, and for some time afterwards, termed the " Great
City of Munster."
1012 The Danes wasted the country in this year also, and in the
following year a large Danish fleet sailed into the harbour and
burned the city. Its inhabitants however avenged the outrage.
1016 The country still continued liable to the incursions and ravages
of the Danes.
1025 Daniel O'Donoghue, king of Cashel, forsaking the world, died
in holy orders in the abbey here.
1030 Cork was destroyed by fire.
1089 The Danes of Dublin, Waterford, and Wicklow, united their
forces to attack Cork ; but they were overthrown in battle by the
Irish of Oneachach, a part of South Carbery.
Turlough, monarch of Ireland, father to Roderick O'Connor,
king of Connaught, reduced Munster, and divided it into two
parts, viz : Desmond, and Thomond, or North and South
Munster. The first he gave to Donough Mac Carthy, who
founded the kingdom of Cork ; and the other he conferred on
Connor O'Brien.
Dermot, the son of Turlough O'Brien laid waste and plundered
the town of Cork, and sacrilegiously carried away the relics of
Saint Finnbarr.
1134 The Abbey of Saint Finnbarr near Cork, which had been
originally founded in the seventh century by the saint whose
name it bore, was refounded about this year for regidar canons of
the order of St. Augustin, by Cormac M'Carthy king of Munster ;
or, as some say, of Desmond, in honour of Saint John the Baptist.
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
Sir James AVare says, It is probably the same as that which Saint A.. D.
Bernard, in the life of Malachias, calls Monasterium Ibracense,
built by king Cormac, and endowed by Dermot, son and
successor of Coiinac, about the year 1 1 73. This abbey (the
former name having been many years antiquated) was called Gille
Abbey, from Gillgeda an abbot of great name there, and afterwards
bishop of Cork, who died in the year 1173. Near it is a cave
called in ancient MSS. the cave of St. Finbarr.
The See of Cork was vacant about this year, and then "a 1140
certain poor man who was a foreigner, (as Saint Bernard says)
but a man of sanctity and learning, was, by Malachy, archbishop
of Armagh, nominated bishop, and sent to that See with the
approbation and applause of the clergy and people."
The Abbot of Cork assisted at the celebrated synod of Kells. 1152
Tundal or Tungal was born, either at Cashel or Cork, about this 1159
year. He fell into an ecstacy at Cork for the space of three days, and
lay stretched out as if he were dead : at length rising up he told those
present the wonderful things he had seen . Some say he committed
his visions to writing, which Sir James Ware says are extant in
manuscript in the University Library at Oxford ; but it rather
seems that some one then present wrote them from his relation.
Saint Mary's Abbey of Fermoy, or de Castro Dei, situated by 1170
the river Avenmore, was founded in the year 1170, and supplied,
first with Cistercian monks from the abbey of Sury, but it
afterwards received a new colony from the abbey of Furness, in
Lancashire.
Cork, and the adjacent country, are recorded to have been at this 1 172
time quietly possessed by the Danes or Ostmen.
Saint Mary's Abbey of Maur, or de Fonte vivo, was founded
by JUermot Mac Cormac.
Dermod M'Carty, prince of Desmond, was one of the first Irish
princes, who, acknowledging the sovereignty of Henry the Second,
resigned his city of Cork to that monarch, and gave him hostages
as a security to pay him a yearly tribute for the rest of his ter-
ritory, which, on these conditions, he was to enjoy without further
molestation or restraint ; and an English governor and garrison
was thereupon immediately appointed to take possession of Cork.
b CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. 1174 Raymond le Gros, having been appointed general over tlie
King's troops by Strongbow, overran and ravaged the country
without resistance ; and proceeding with his booty to Lismore,
committed the hke depredations in this city and the adjacent
lands. Having returned by the sea shorej he found thirteen boats
lately come from Waterford, as well as from other places, and
directed them to be laden with the booty, intending to have
passed by water into Waterford ; but, tarrying there for a wind,
the men of Cork, who had heard of their doings, being but
sixteen miles from them, prepared two-and-thirty barks of their
own town, and did well man and furnish them, being wholly
determined to set upon Raymond, and if possible to give him the
overthrow. Between both parties there was a cruel fight, the
one giving a fierce onset with stones and spaths, and the other
defending themselves with bows and weapons. In the end the
men of Cork were overcome, and their captain, named Gilbert
Mac Turger, was slain by a lusty young gentleman, named
Philip Welsh. Adam Hereford, who was the general, or admiral
of Raymond's navy, being well increased, and laden with great prey,
then sailed in triumph to the city of Waterford. Raymond, who
was not present, having heard of this fight, came up with
reinforcements of twenty gentlemen and three score horsemen,
and in his way met Mac Carty, king of Cork, who was coming
by land with his forces to countenance the aforesaid attempt by
sea of the Corcagians, and who intended to seize on the English
boats, if they should be forced ashore as he expected; but
" Raymond gave him such a brush that he got a prey of 4000
cows by the bargain," and brought them safe to Waterford.
1177 The kingdom of Cork, extending towards Limerick on the one
side from the cape of St. Brendan on the sea coast, and as far on
the other side as the water near Lismore, which runs between
Lismore and Cork and falls into the sea, with the exception of
the city and cantred* belonging to the Ostmen (Danes) of said
city, was this year granted by Plenry the Second, to Robert
Fitzstephen and Milo de Cogan. The whole land, however, as
*A cantred is so much land as coutahis one hundred villages.
rORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D.
far asWateiford, together with the city of Lismore, was to remain
ill the king's hands for the government of Waterford.
Cork WIS devestated by the Mac Cartys, but subsequently
subdued by the above mentioned De Cogan and Fitzstephen, who
after tlie destructive consequences which their grant and its
assertion entailed, proceeded on a pilgrimage to the romantically
situated cathedral of Aghadoe, where they sojourned two nights
in prayer and penitence.
About this time Dermod M'Carty's son Cormac, rebelled
against his father, and, having taken him prisoner, used him
barbarously. Raymond le Gros, who was then at Limerick,
at the request of the old king, marched to his relief, vanquished
the rebellious son, and delivered him up to his father, who
unnaturally smote off his head ; but not long after was himself
slain by the men of Cork, at a parley not far from the town, when
most of his company were also slain. For the service which
Raymond rendered, a large territory in the county of Kerry (then
reckoned part of the kingdom of Cork) was granted to him, where
he settled his son Maurice, who married Catherine, daughter to
Milo de Cogan, and there grew so powerful that he gave his
name both to his posterity, and to a barony in the county ; the
former being called from him Fitz Maurice (of whose family
the Earls of Kerry were descended) ; and the latter Clanmaurice.
Whilst Raymond was in the county of Cork he received a 1177
letter from his wife in these words : " Know my dear lord that
my great cheek tooth, which was wont to ache so much, is now
fallen out, wherefore, if you have any care or regard of me, or of
yourself, come away with all speed." By this Raymond knew
that Strongbow was dead ; but he wisely concealed it, and
immediately returned to Limerick.
In order to secure the quiet possession of this country, granted 1179
them by king Henry 2d, Milo de Cogan and Fitzstephen came to
an agreement with Dermod king of Cork, and other Irish chiefs,
to let them have 24 caiitreds at a small annual rent. They
divided seven others, which lay contiguous to the city, between
themselves, and agreed at the same time to divide equally
the rent of the other twenty-four cautreds, which they had
8 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A- D. granted to the Irish. Fitzstephen granted three cantreds to his
sister's son PhiUp de Barry, who soon after built the castle of
Barry's Court, and, some say, also that of Shandon, near Cork.
1179 Cogan, Fitzstephen, and Philip de Broase, to whom the
kingdom of Limerick had been given by king John, came to
Cork by sea, where they were kindly received by* Richard de
Londres, an English gentleman, who was deputy there under
Fitzaldeline.
1180 About this time Amere, or Meridith, Fitzstephen's son, " a
lusty young gentleman and a towardlie," died at Cork in March,
to the great sorrow and grief of all his friends.
Richard de Carew granted the church of Saint Coleman to the
wealthy abbey of Saint Thomas in Dublin.
Saint Mary's Abbey of Chore was founded this year, and
supplied with Cistercian monks from the abbey of Nenagh in
Limerick.
1182 The Mac Carty, renouncing his allegiance to the English
government, marched to Cork, which Fitzstephen, in grief and
consternation, almost despaired to defend. Raymond le Gros,
however, who was then in Waterford, contrived, by a small
embarkation of chosen troops, to reinforce the garrison ; and, by
the terror of his name, and the skill and vigour of his operations,
forced the men of Desmond to raise the seige, and ultimately to
submit, and sue for peace.
1185 Upon King John's landing at Waterford the Lish nobility of
these parts, that had hitherto continued their obedience to the
English, came to welcome him ; but, being rudely entertained
by the young men who attended him, they retired, forsook their
habitations, and betook themselves to the king of Limerick, and
related to him, and to the kings of Conaught and Cork, what had
happened to them : upon notice whereof, they, who before were
prepared to make their addresses to John, with profession of their
obedience and fidelity, fearing greater mischiefs might follow from
so ill a begimiing, though they were at variance before among
themselves, now entered into a mutual confederacy, took up arms
for the defence of their coimtry and liberty, and wasted and
destroyed much of the English plantations.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. »
King John granted to this city its first charter, with all laws, A.D. 1185
customs, and privileges then enjoyed by the citizens of Bristol.
Milode Cogan and young Fitzstephen, having occasion to
treat with the people of Waterford, went to Lismore, to which
place they were invited by one Mac Tirid, who stealing suddenly
and unawares upon them, treacherously murdered them, and five
of their servants; upon which, the Irish took up arms, and
joining all their forces under Mac Carty, who still retained the
title of King, they beseiged Cork, not doubting to expel all the
English, and Robert Fitzstephen, then shut up in that place.
Upon this exigency Fitzstephen despatched a message to
Raymond le Gros, then at Wexford, for his assistance, who
directly set sail with 100 archers and 20 knights, and coasting
the country, made towards Cork with all the haste he could, " that
he might release and comfort his friends, and be a terror unto his
enemies." With this reinforcement Fitzstephen made a sally,
and routed the Irish at the first onset. Nevertheless when the
king heard of the aforesaid treachery, he sent Richard Cogan,
Philip Barry, Giraldus Cambrensis, and a good party of horse and
foot, to help Fitzstephen ; and, by their assistance, the kingdom
of Cork was kept quiet for some time : but old Fitzstephen had
but little benefit from it; for being much broken with age and mis-
fortunes, he first lost his senses, and not long afterwards his life.
Friar Clin, in his annals, says. There happened a great eclipse
of the sun this year, after which it continued for some time
of a bloody colour.
Mac Carty of Desmond again marched against Cork ; but was
on this occasion no less successfully opposed by Theobald
Fitzwalter, the founder of the noble house of Ormond. He is
recorded to have suddenly attacked the Irish prince, while in
conference with certain men of Cork at some distance from the
town, and to have slain him with his whole party.
Cork was besieged by Mac Carthy of Desmond, and would 1195
have fallen into his hands but for the jealousies and disunions
which have ever been fatally prevalent in our island: on this
occasion, however, these circumstances only suspended the fate
of Cork for a short inteiTal ; for the garrison, in want of
B
10 CORK REMEMBRANCER,
A.D. provisions, and hopeless of succour, surrendered soon after to a
more successful assault of the prince of Desmond.
1198 This year died Eichard de Carew, a man of great power and
name in the kingdom, who built several castles in this county.
1199 John Despencer was made provost of Cork: he is the first
magistrate of that city on record.
1203 The romantic history of John De Courcy, earl of Ulster,
connects itself at this period with Cork. Sir Hugh de Lacy the
younger, earl of Meath, who had foiTnerly been joined with De
Courcy in the government of Ireland, (but was now governor
himself,) having charged him with disrespectful reflections upon
the king's character, for having murdered his nephew Arthur,
duke of Britany, was ordered by the king to seize the Earl and
send him prisoner to England. Lacy, being the Earl's grand
enemy, gladly obeyed the command ^ and several times attempted
to take him by force, but without success. At length De Courcy
oflfered the combat ; which, however, De Lacy refused, alleging
" that it was not for him, who represented the king's person, to
hazard his life with an inferior, whom he considered as a subject
and a traitor :" and he at the same time, by proclamation, promised
a large reward to those who should seize and deliver De Courcy
to him dead or alive. This proving ineffectual, he, in the next
place, practised secretly with some of the attendants and followers
of that chieftain ; and, by bribes and promises, prevailed upon
them to betray their master. Having chosen their opportunity
v/hen he was doing penance near the church of Downpatrick on
Good Friday, (" on which day yearly", say the annals, " he wore
no arms, but was wholly given to divine contemplation, and used
to walk all solitary round that church yard,") they rushed upon
him, and attacked and killed some of his retinue, particularly
two sons of Almoric de St. Laurence, who laboured to defend
their uncle. De Courcy, however, with his usual prowess,
seizing a wooden cross, which stood in the church yard, killed
with that weapon thirteen of his assailants ; but was at length
overpowered, bound and led captive beyond the seas, and
condemned to perpetual imprisonment in the Tower of London :
*' whereupon," continue the annals, " Lacy, for that service, had.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 11
the earldom of Ulster given him, and the Judases that betrayed A- D.
their master had their hire. They craved of Sir Hugh a passport*
into England, which was granted, on condition that, on pain of
death, they should never return to Ireland ; and a bark was
provided for them with sail and victuals, but no pilot or seafearing
man, so that for want of skill they coidd not take the seas ; but
were tossed with wind and weather along the coast, until at length
the tide brought them into the river of Cork, where they were
apprehended, brought to Sir Hugh de Lacy, examined, " and
forthwith all four hanged cheek by jole." In the mean time the
earl of Ulster was confined in the tower, until a dispute arose
between king John of England, and Philip Augustus king of
France, about the title to the dutchy of Normandy, which, to
hinder the greater effusion of human blood, was referred to two
champions to decide. The French champion was ready ; but
none of king John's subjects would answer the challenge :
upon which the king was informed that John De Courcy,
late earl of Ulster, who was then a prisoner in the tower,
was the only man in his domonions who could do it, if he
would undertake it. The king, being thus informed, sent
twice to the earl for that purpose ; but he refused each
time, saying " not for him ; for I esteem him zcn-
worthy the adventure of my blood hy reason of the un-
grateful returns he made for my services and loyalty to
the crown in imprisoning me unheard at the suit of my rival
and enemy Hugh de Lacy r But the king sending the third
time to know if he would fight for the honour of his country, he
*This Passport was worded as follows :
Hugh de Lacy, Lord Justice of Ireland, servant to my dread Sovereign
Lord king John, to all them that shall read these few lines greet : Know
ye that these men, whose names are underwritten, sometimes served Sir
John De Courcy, (late earl of Ulster, but now in durance in the Tower of
London,) and for a sum of money betrayed their own master into my hands.
I deem them no better than Judas the traitor : how hardly soever I have
conceived of Courcy, I hold them to be a thousand times more damnable
traitors. Wherefore let no subject in the king's dominions give them any
entertainment ; but spit in their faces, and suffer them to rogue and wander
about as Jews.
12 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
^- ^- made this answer, that ^^for the crown and dignity of the realM^
in which manij an honest man Uveth ayamst his will, (meaning
the king's) I shall he contented to hazard my life .'' upon this he
was released from the tower, "cherished, made much of, and
fed wonderfully." The day of combat being appointed, (hi Nor-
mandy) the earl's ov/n sword was sent for out of Ireland ; but
when the day came, and everything was ready for the fight, and
the champions had entered the lists in the presence of the kings
of England, France, and Scotland, the trumpets having sounded
the charge, the champions issued out and viewed each other,
De Courcy eyed his adversary with a wonderfully stern countenance,-
and passed by. The Frenchman, not liking his grim look, nor
the terrible weapon he bore in his hand, and "taking him for a
monster on accoimt of the great bulk he had arrived at, from the
change from hard keeping to so large an allowance in diet," when
the trumpets sounded the last charge, set spurs to his horse, broke
through the lists, and fled into Spain, from whence he never re-
turned. The French champion having thus taken his flight,
the victory was adjudged to the earl of Ulster ; but the kings^
hearing of his great strength, and being willing to see some trial
of it, ordered a helmet of excellent proof, full faced with mail,
to be laid upon a block of wood, which the earl, frowning upon
the kings with a stern countenance, cut asunder with one blow,
and struck his sword so deep into the wood, that none there
present but himself could draw it out again ; which sword, with
his armour, are to this day preserved in the tower of London.
When, therefoi'e, he had plucked it forth, the kings asked him
why he looked upon them with such a grim and froward
countenance before he gave the blow to the helmet. He answered,
that if he had missed in his stroke, he would have killed all the
whole company, as well the kings as others : but all was taken in
good part. After this noble performance, the king restored him
to his foiTOer titles and estate, which was valued at that time at
25000 marks sterling per annum, a vast income in those days,
and likewise bade him ask for anything else in his gift he had a
mhid to, and it should be granted. Upon which the earl replied,
he had titles and estate enough ; but desired that he and the
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 13
heirs male of his family after him, might have the privilege, ^^- D.
after their first obeisence, to remain covered iu the royal presence
of him and his successors kings of England, which the king
granted, and the said privilege is preserved in the fanaily to
this day.* The earl afterwards arriving in England, attempted
fifteen several times to cross the seas from thence into
Ireland, but was every time put back by contrary winds,
whereupon, he altered his course, and went into France,
where he died in the year 1210, leaving issue by Africa, his
widow, (daughter to Godfrey, king of the Isle of Man and of
the western isles of Scotland,) Wyles, his heir and successor.
Myles who succeeded, was one of the bail or sureties for his
father's fidelity on his being released out of the Tower in order to
ficrht the French champion, as appears by the records of the fourth
year of the reign of King John in the Tower. He was kept
out of the earldom of Ulster by Hugh de Lacy, who had a grant
*TIie first Lord who asserted this privilege was Almericiis, who, being
very handsome in his person, and of a tall stature, attended King William's
court, and, being admitted into the presence chamber, walked to and frO
with his hat on his head. The King, observing him, sent one of his
attendants to enquire the reason of his appearing before him with his head
covered, to whom he replied, he very well knew in whose presence he
stood, and the reason why he wore his hat that day was because he stood
before the king of England. This answer being told the King, and his
lordship approaching nearer the throne was required by his Majesty to
explain himself, which he did to this effect : " May it please your Majesty,
my name is Courcy, and I am Lord of Kinsale in your kingdom of Ireland.
The reason of my appearing covered in your Majesty's presence is to assert
the ancient privilege of my family, granted to Sir John de Courcy, earl of
Ulster and his heirs, by John King of England, for him and Lis successors
for ever." The King replied, he remembered he had such a nobleman, and
believed the privilege he asserted to be his right ; and, giving him his hand to
kiss, his Lordship paid his obeisance, and remained covered.
Another and more recent instance of the assertion of this privilege occurred
not many years since : Lord Kinsale, being in the company of King George
the Third, remained covered notwithstanding the presence of several ladies,
upon which his Majesty, walking over to the place where he stood, tapped him
on the shoulder, and said ; " I am aware, my Lord, of your right to remain
covered in my prcscuce, but you should recollect that you are in the presence
of ladies also."
14 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. of it from king John on taking the late earl and sending him
prisoner to London ; for on Myles's claiming the earldom on his
fathers death, Lacy replied, that he would maintain king
John's last grant of it to himself, since the earl never returned
into Ireland to reverse his outlawry ; and the said Lacy, being a
great favourite of the king's, and a very powerful man, Myles
was forced to give up his pretensions ; but was created Baron of
Kinsale, by patent dated the 29th May 1223, and died in the
beginning of Henry Ill's reign.
1208 November 8 — King John, by patent dated at Woodstock,
(whereuntoMeylerFitzHenry,Lord Justice is witness) did confirm
to William Fitz Philip Barry the three cantreds of Olethan,
Muskry — Dunegan, and Killedy, which Fitzstephen had given
his father in the kingdom of Cork, to be held of the king by ten
knight's fees.
1210 Cork was this year, with eleven other counties, made shire
ground by King John, who appointed sheriffs and other proper
officers to govern them.
1214 The Grey Friary was founded here, and dedicated to the blessed
Virgin Mary.
1216 King Henry III. wrote a letter to the archbishops of Dublin and
Cashel, to consecrate Geoffry White, bishop of Cork, and therein
gave him the character of a learned, provident, and honest man.
1224 St. Mary's Abbey of Tracton was founded in this year, and
supplied with Cistercians from the abbey de Alba Lauda, at
Maridun in Wales : the possessions were confirmed by Edward
the III, whose effigy on horseback cast in brass was heretofore
hung up in the church, in testimony of the gratitude of the friars.
1229 The Dominican Friary was fovuided here by Philip Barry in
this year.
1231 The convent of minorits, near Youghal, was founded by Maurice
Fitzgerald, on the south side of the town, about this year. He
died on the 8th of May 1257, having taken the habit of this
order, and was buried in the church of this convent. He is
said to have been the first that introduced this order into Ireland.
1234 April 1 — There appeared in Cork, and several other places, the
resemblance of four great suns, besides the natural sun, of a red
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
15
A.D.
colour ; and a great circle of crystal colour, from the sides
whereof went out half circles, in the divisions whereof the four
suns went forth.
A charter was granted to the citizens of Cork. 1235
AVilliam de Barry founded the Priory of Ballibeg, near Butte- 1237
vant, for Augustin canons ; the revenues of Mhich David his son
enlarged in this year.
The friary of the order of minorits near Cork, was founded by 1240
Philip Prindergast.
John de Cogan, who was a descendant of Milo, and Theobald 1217
Butler, were this year Lords Justices of Ireland.
The prince of Desmond was intended in the Grey Friary.
Felcon records, that in this year there was a marvellous and
strange earthquake all over Ireland and all the west of the
world, and that there followed immediately a continual untem-
perature of the air. The winter was stonny, cold and wet, and
continued so until the 11th of July, insomuch that the gardeners
complained that winter was turned to summer, and summer to
winter, and that they were like to lose all and be undone.
Another charter was conceded to this city. 1252
A quarrelhaving arisen between the Carties, and the O'DriscoUs, 1260
the O'Donavaies, Mac Donoch, Mac Mahonna, the Mac Swmes,
and the inhabitants of Muskerry, they weakened themselves so
much on all sides by their cruel dissentions that the Desmonds in
the end overcame them all.
Thomas Fitzmaurice founded a friary near Youghal this year, 1268
or according to Clyn 1271, in which the friar's preachers seated
themselves.
The Bishop of Cork granted the chapel of St. Nicholas to the 1270
abbey of St. Thomas.
A grant was made for enclosing the city with a wall. 1284
About this time David Barry, lord of Butte van t, founded the i290
monastery of the order of minors there.
A general chapter of franciscans was held here. 1291
The Dioceses of Cork and Cloyne, were this year valued, for
the purposes of Pope Nicholas's taxation. (For the particulars
of which see appendix to this work.)
16
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. 1301 The citizens of Cork were, by the king's order, required to
send two ships, fully manned and equipped with arms, to the
royal quarters at Berwick, for service in the Scottish invasion.
In this same year, various members of the Barry family had
license to grant certain churches and lands to the nunnery of St.
John the Baptist, in St. John's street, in the subiubs of Cork,
for their support.
John De Courcy, baron of Kinsale and Eingroane, together
with his brother Patrick, were slain in the island of Inchydony,
by Daniel Mael Mac Carthy Reagh, and the Irish of Carbery.
His grandson Miles De Courcy, baron of Kinsale, overthrew
Florence Mac Carthy More, with a great army of his followers,
in a battle near Eingroane, and drove them into the Bandon river,
where many of them were drowned.
1303 March 24 — John and Michael, sons of John De Cogan,
were given the keeping of the peace, until the coming of the
Justices of Ireland to Cork.
August 8 — The king signified to the bishop of Cork, his
assent to the election lately made at the conventual church of
the Cave of St. Finn Barr, of Thomas O'Fyn, canon of that house,
to the abbacy of the same.
Oct. 15 — The bailiffs and men of Cork, obtained permission to
pay the expense of a conduit for supplying the city with water, out
of certain tolls called murage, which they had for six years, and
which were granted to the cities of Ireland, for the purpose of
building or repairing their walls.
1305 Baltimore was burnt.
1307 John Barry built a house for minorits at Castle Lyons.
1309 Jan. 23 — The King, by writ commanded all the sheriffs and
bailiffs in Ireland to assist Walter Turtle, citizen of Cork, in
recovering and levying his debts.
The sheriff of Cork was commanded to choose another coroner,
in the place of Richard Cod, who was attacked with a paralytic
disorder.
Hugh de Wynchecumbe, and William Browne, provisers of
the victuals of Henry the first at Youghal, were paid £108 6s. 8d.
for fifty casks of wine, bought by them, of the townsmen of
CORK REMEMRRANCER. 17
Youghal, and sent to Skynburn, lor the household expenses A. D.
of the king.
Oct. 18. — The Dominicans and Franciscans of Cork, received
their annual allowance of 35 marks from the Royal Treasury.
JSTov. 30. — ^ John Fitz-David de Barry and Maurice de Rochfort, I^'^IO
were appointed conservators of the peace, in the counties of
Cork, Kerry and Limerick.
March 24. — The king commanded the sheriff of the county 1311
of Cork, to pay, out of the money, due in his Bailiwick to his
Majesty, the sum of £10 to Henry de Cogan, for the expenses
attendant upon the assizes.
Sir Roger de IMortimer, who was appointed Lord Justice, 1317
landed at Youghal, with 38 knights, to oppose Edward Bruce,
who had invaded Ireland with a powerful army, and had caused
himself to be proclaimed king at Dundalk.
Au(^. 20. — The lands in the county of Cork, which belonged
to the friars of the hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, having
been devastated by wars, a grant was made, empowering them
to take up said lands, and grant them to other tenants.
Dec. 7. — The ordinance lately made at Cork, by sir Roger de
Mortimer and his council, that the gate in the wall of the city,
nearest to the house of the preaching friars, should be in the
keeping of the mayor, bailifls, and other honest men of the city,
was at this time confirmed by the king, as a favor to the friars.
Dec. 8. — The mayor of Cork was commanded to permit the
messengers of the bishop of Cork, to carry £100 into England,
notwithstanding the prohibition against remitting money out of
Ireland.
The king confirmed the grant, made in the time of Piers de
Gavaston, lieutenant of Ireland, to David 0"i\Io!othyn, an
Irishman of Henry de Cogan, that he and his sons, and daughters,
and their issue, might use English law.
Dec. 12. — The king pardoned Dermot M'Carthy, prince of
the Irish of D-Jsmond, Dermot (his son) and others, their
transgressions.
Dec. 13. — In consequence of the services of Robert Baret,
aganist the king's enemies, in all the marches under his authority,
c
16 CORK REMEMfiRANCER.
A.D. the king granted to his son WiUiam, the arrears of two parts of
the lands of Gronagh, in this county, which had come into the
hands of the king.
Dec. 28. — The king, in a mandate to the Bishop of Corky
presented Geoffrey Fitz-John de Cogan, to the church of the
blessed Mary de Catheragh, in the donation of the king, by reason
of his wardship of the land, and heir of John de Cogan.
1318 Jan^ 6. — It having been found by inquisition, that a certain
stone house in the city of Cork, the property of Nicholas de la
Wythye, a citizen of Cork, had been lately taken to keep the
county prisoners in ; the mayor and bailiffs were ordered to pay
to him, out of the farm rent of the city, as well, £26 which was
in arrear, as 104s. per annum, (its yearly value) as long as it should
remain in the hands of the king.
Jan. 8. — The king, at the instance of John Fitz-David cle
Parry, granted that the commonalty of the town of Buttevant (the
property of said John) should have, in aid of enclosing said to\yn,
£105, of the murage lately granted to them.
Jan 18.— Walter Turtle, at this time, had letters of exemption
from offices in the city of Cork.
Jan 20. — John de Logan, clerk, and the mayor of Cork,
were appointed to take recognizances of debtors there.
The king freed the mayor, bailiffs and commonalty of the city
of Cork, from giving an account of the murage, hitherto taken
by them in the city, and also from paying for the guaging of wine,
except as hitherto ; and gave them power to arrest all convicted
of debt before them, until they should make satisfaction, as was
accustomed in past time ; and ordered that no stranger shouki
carry arms in the city, against the will of the citizens.
Jan. 21 — -The serjeancy of Olethan and Imokilly was
granted to Reginald Russel and Margaret his wife, to be
held in the form, granted by Edward I. to Thomas Fitz-Maurice
and said Margaret,
1319 -^ grant was made for paving the streets, constructing bridges,
and erecting quays in the city of Cork.
Dec. 3. — Government made an order at Cork, that Mathew
Fitz-Gerald, sheriff of Kerry, should admit all prisoners to bajl;^
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 19
Sis tliere was no sufBcient prison in that county, for keeping them A D.
in.
Dec. 10. — John Fitzsimon was appointed sheriff of the
county of Cork,
A nunnery was founded here, and endowed with certain lands, 1320
tithes and rectories.
May 17. — Henry de Thrapstown, clerk, was granted a sum
of £600 for certain purposes relative to " divers magnates of
Ireland, men-at-arms, Sec." who were proceeding to Munster,
against the rebels.
July 15 — Permission was given to Maurice Fitz-Thomas,
and John Fitz-Piei-s le Poer, to treat with any felons of their
families and surnames, or any of their followers ; and the sheriff
of Cork was commanded to postpone arresting them.
Aug. 30. — Writs were addressed to various parts of Ireland, 1321
and amongst others, to the sheriff of this county, reciting the
warlike preparations of the king of France, and ordering the
ships, in the port, and on the coasts, to be got ready with all
haste, for war, and absent ones to be recalled, to attack and
destroy all ships of war, belonging to the French king, except
those of Flanders ; and commanding all sailors to give up any
hostility to sailors of Bayonne, and other places, and join them in
damaging French subjects, and to seize and detain all French ships
and subjects with their goods.
Oct. 12. — The justices of Ireland were commanded to order
all sheriffs, without delay, to seize and keep in custody, the persons
and goods of all Frenchmen, and their adherents in Ireland, who
had no lands or tenements, unless they made oath and gave security
for their good behavioiu*.
Nov. 5. — The mayor and bailiffs of Cork were ordered to
seize a ship, of which William Bonewell was master.
Feb. 10. — The mayor and bailiffs received oixlers, to seize 1325
and keep all the men and merchants, who were natives of certain
of the king's dominions in France, then in rebellion.
3Iay 15. — ^The King commanded the sheriff of Cork, to cause
David, son of Alexis Roche, to give a reasonable aid of his knights
and freeholders towards making the eldest son of the king, a kn ight.
20 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. June 18 — A similar command was issued to the sheriff of
Cork, to catise David Fitz Eichard, to give aid of his knights
and freeholders, towards the marriage of the king's eldest daugher.
Jicne 28 — The king having heard, that Arnold le Poer
intended to assemble many men at arms and footmen, in order to
attack his faithful subject, Maurice Fitz Thomas, sent a mandate
to him to desist,
July G. — John Courcy was removed from his office of coroner,
of the cantreds of Obakun, and Kynaletherthragh, in the county
Cork, because he was afraid to perform the duties of his office.
1326 July 21. — By writ dated at Kilkenny, the sum of £10 was
ordered to be paid, out of the treasury, to Rose Wogan, wife of
Nicholas de la Wythye, for- two years rent of a stone house in
Cork, let out by her, fox- keeping the king's prisoners in, from
the 20th July 1324, to the 20th July, 1326, accoi-ding to
agreement, made with her by the lord justice and council.
JSTov. 15, — The sum of £10 was paid to Walter de Kerdiff
and Cambinus Donatus, citizens of Cork, towards repairing the
gaol, which then stood in such need of repairs, that no prisoners
could be kept safely therein, until it were (as it was afterwards)
built anew.
Dec. 12— 'The king's faithful subjects, complaining that
certain great men, as well English as Irish, had confederated
together, and had sworn to one another, to rise, and perpetrate
divers evil deeds against them ; the sheriff was commanded to
make proclamation through his whole county, that no man hold
conventions or meetings for such purposes, or aid the confederates
privately or openly, and to seize any whom he should find in
fault.
J327 The prisage of all wines, imported into Cork, which had long
previously belonged to the Butler family, was in this year,
confimied to James le Botiller,
The Irish staple for wools and skins, which king Edward
II. had fixed at Cork, Drogheda and Dublin, was confirmed.
1330 Edward the III. granted another charter to the city of Cork.
1332 The Mac Carthys were defeated by the English, and (according
to Clyn] Dermot Oge Mac Carthy, king of Cork was slain.
COllK REMEMBRANCER. 21
Oct. IS. — John le Waleys, ono of the coroners of the county of A. D.
Cork, in the cantreds of Muskry-Doupgan and Fermoy, having
been so violently treated in those cantreds, that he was unable to
proceed to execute his ofHce, without the greatest danger ; the
king, at the instance of Henry de Cogan, commanded the sheriff
to cause him to be removed, in full county, in the accustomed form.
A''ov. 18. — John, Bishop of Cork, became liable to the king, for 1335
one hundred shillings, in consequence of the escape of John Fitz
John IMartel, a felon, who (according to the justice's report,) being
a literate person, had been given into his care. It was afterwards
stated however, that he had never been given into the bishop's
care, but was killed by the gaoler, on attempting to break out of
the prison, in consequence of which, and of the bishop's having
done good service in allaying disturbances in the county at a
former period, the fine was remitted.
Jan. 1. — Robert de Caun ton, knight, was paid one hundred 133G
shillings, for keeping the person of Guydo deCaunton, a felon and
rebel, lately taken near Cork, and for bringing him from Cork to
the castle of Dublin.
Aug. 2-1. — John Darcy, justice of Ireland, was at this time
engaged in an expedition against Donald O'Carbragh M'Carth}',
and M'Dennot, felons in the county Cork.
March Mil — A pardon was granted to Ismanie O'Donnyld, 1338
who had been guilty of abetting the murderers of a woman named
Balagh Ynycodely.
Bonfires and ^aMf?^5 were solemnized in all the land upon the 1340
decease of the lord justice, sir John Darcy, whose lady, being a
miserable sot, had led him to extortion and bribery.
Certain additional privileges and liberties were granted to the 1342
mayors and citizens of Cork.
The mayor and bailiffs of Cork were required to cause proclama- 1344
tion to be made in this city, that no minister of the king, no
archbishop, bishop, earl, &.c. or other person regular or secular,
of whatsoever rank, with the exception of merchants and their
servants, should be permitted to pass out of Ireland, without the
king's special license ; and to arrest all persons offending, and to
seize their ships, masters and mariners.
22 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. The sheriff of Cork was fined, for not returning the writ against
Wilham de Barry, at suit of friar John Larcher, prior of the
hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.
jlug. 18. — The king committed to William Fitz-David deRoche
of Ballymolgole (Ballymagooley), the county of Cork, with the
appurtenances, to be kept at the king's will ; and commanded,
all persons of said county, to act towards him as towards the king's
sheriff ; and ordered Nicholas de Barry, the late sheriff, to deliver
up to him said county with the rolls, writs, &;c.
J\roc. 21. — The king appointed David Fitz David de Barry of
Castellethan, (Castle Lyons) sheriff of the county of Cork, and
commanded William Fitz David de Roche of Ballymolgole,
late sheriff, to deliver the county to him. He was at the same
time appointed seneschal, and keeper of the manor of Inchecoyne
(Inchiquin) and the town of Youghal.
2348 The plague raged this year in Munster.
1349 John de Carew, Baron of Carew, was lord justice of Ireland
this year. From him was descended sir George Carew, earl of
Totness, who in 1601 was lord president of this province.
J 353 Q^^ ^]-jg tieath of Milo de Courcy, without heirs male ; his
inheritance, consisting of the manor of Ringroane, the chief
rents of Kinsale, with the Hundred therein, &c. were found to be
inheritable by the families of his four sisters, Margaret Johanna,
Catherine and Anastacia.
1355 October 20. — Sir Nicholas de Courcy, Knight, was made
Escheator in Cork.
1356 April 20. — The Irish rebels having assembled in great
numbers, and being intent upon invading the king's faithful
people, the sheriff of Cork was commanded to cause the same to
be proclaimed throughout his Bailiwick.
July 4. — Sessions being held in Cork by Thomas de Rokeby,
justice of Ireland ; a sum of 1 00s. was granted to Robert de Preston,
the king's pleader, in part for his expenses in attending the same.
1358 Dec. 11. — Wad, bishop of Cloyne, John de Wynchedon,
and others of the county Cork, were appointed conservators of
the peace.
1359 Maij 1. — The king having given the custody of the castle
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 23
of Gyncs, in this county, to John Lombard, a citizen of Cork, A. D.
granted to liim thirty plowlands in the same county, to be held
for ever, rendering for the first two years one rose, and afterwards
forty shilhngs per annum. He complained, however, to the
justices and council of Ireland, that he could scarcely cause any
part of the land to be inhabited, on account of the frequent
invasions of the Irish as well as English malefactors and rebels,
and that any, whom he could get, would render him little or
nothing for the same, and designed to go away, being impoverished
from hostile incursions, robberies, and depredations ; and thus
he could not obtain as much as he had expended in the custody
of the castle. The treasurer was commanded to cause enquiry to
be made, as to the truth of this statement, and, if he should find
that the rents and annual profits received were insufficient for the
custody, then to cause him to be exonerated from the arrears due
to the treasury,
Mafj 10. — Sir John de Carew, knight, having petitioned the
king to show him some regard, as to the payment of the arrears
of his account for the time he was sheriff of Cork, the treasurer
was directed to accept sixty shillings annually, until he should have
paid all.
1 8. — A proclamation was made that none but merchants should
go out of the kingdom.
The king (having heard, that William, son of John de Barry,
and IMilo, son of Milo de Courcy, on account of certain
supposed grievances, had invaded in a warlike manner the lands
of Richard Oge Barrett and others, and burned their houses,)
commanded them to desist from perpetrating those enormous
injuries, and to seek for justice from the law, to which they had
promised to submit. A writ was, at the same time, directed to the
sheriff and conservators of the peace, to seize those persons who
had transgressed.
26. — Andrew Persona and Margaret Briddessale, having
been arrested, for a certain deforcement, by Nicholas Oge, officer
of the Staple, and having petitioned the crown, the mayor and
constables were commanded to liberate them, on payment of
a suitable fuie.
24 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. The king, about this time, commanded the late mayor, baihffs,
and other citizens of Cork, to be obsequious to John Myne, whose
election to the office of mayor was approved of by the king, and to
deliver to him, the desk, with the rolls of the courts of the Hundred,
the books of green wax, the seal of the chief magistracy, and the
keys, and all other things belonging to his office.
July 28. — Gerald, son of Peter de Caunton, (to whom certain
immunities had been granted by the king, some time before, for
himself, and such of his progeny, as he might wish to go security
for the good conduct of, with the exception of William de
Caunton and his son, and to whom a license had been given, to
punish, such of them as should offend,) was ordered by the
king, in pursuance of such license, to chastise those, who had
lately invaded his faithful people of the county Cork, in a hostile
manner, and had collected great spoil, and to restore their goods
to those, from whom they had been seized. The sheriff was also
commanded to enforce the same.
Aveline, widow of the Earl of Desmond, was at this time,
entitled to dower of her husband's estates, in which was in-
cluded a third part of the chief serjeancy of the county, with the
appurtenances.
June 31. — The king appointed, in certain cantreds of the
county Cork, collectors of the subsidy granted by the community
of the county, to attack Irish enemies, viz : two shillings from
each cultivated plowland.
July 3. — In consequence of a great commotion and warlike
disturbance, raised by the Irish enemies and English rebels, in
Munster, on the death of Maurice, son of the Earl of Desmond,
the king, for the purpose of suppressing the same, granted to
the earl of Desmond, brother of the earl, the serjeancies of the
counties of Waterford, Cork and Kerry, and the custody of all the
castles and lands, which had belonged to the late earl, and were
in the king's hands, by reason of the minority of the heir, (except
the dower of Aveline, widow of said Maurice, and Beatrix, widow
of said earl.)
Aug. 26. — The king granted a pardon to Richard de Carew
for different crimes, amongst others, the murder of William Skydy,
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 25
late a citizen of Cork, and the robbery of five horses of the vakie A.D.
of (ive pounds, having iirst exacted a fine from him.
March [8. — A writ issued to the mayor and Baihffs of the cit}^, ^^*^0
to return two of the most discreet citizens to a parliament.
20. — The king confirmed the patent of chief serjeancy of the
county of Cork, which was granted on payment of one rose per
annum, by Maurice, earl of Desmond, to Geoffrey de Styneche.
Writs were directed to the sovereign and baililTs of Youghal,
and the mayor and bailiffs of Cork, ordering them to prevent
persons from going to foreign parts.
April 22. — The king commanded the mayor of Cork to cause
proclamation to be made, ordering to be levied in all haste, the
money granted by the community of the county of Cork, in aid
of the war against Art' Kevanagh.
The sheriff of Cork was commanded to convene the more ^
powerful and discreet of the county, to deliberate about certain
dangers which were apprehended.
The pestilence raged in this county, and great numbers pe- 1361
risked.
There was another great plague in this county. ^^'^
The king commanded Thomas Holhirst, collector of customs, ^^"^
and keeper of the ports, in IMunster, and William Lombard, mayor
of Waterford, to cause ships to be detained in the ports of Waterford,
Wexford, Cork, and Youghal, for the use of James le Botiller, earl
ofOrmond, and his men, who were about to go to England, in
obedience to the king's command.
March 27. — O'Brien, captain of his nation of Thomond,
with a great multitude of Irish, being about to make war again
upon the people of the county of Limerick ; the sheriff, and
conservators of the peace in the county of Cork, were commanded
to cause the able men of said county, agreeably to their
estate, to be numbered, arrayed, and kept for the defence of the
county, and sufficient victuals to be provided for them.
May 30. — The mayor and bailiffs of the city of Cork were
commanded to send six of the better citizens to confer at Balahath,
about such things as might be the subjects of ordinances before
the custos and council of Lvland.
D
26 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D
June 23. — Twenty pounds were paid to Maurice Fitz-TIiomas,
earl of Kildare, custos of Ireland^ by way of reward, over and
above the usual fee of £500 per quarter.
John Lombard, late sheriff of Cork, was at this time
directed to pay to Ealph de Beltesford, the treasurer of the
household of the lord lieutenant, 20 marks out of the royal rent
service, levied within the county of Cork, for the support of the
men at anus and archers of his retinue in Munster.
Andrew Stakebole was owner of six acres of land, in Shandon,
covered with water.
July 10. — The salary of Robert de Preston, chief justice of
Ireland, was £40 per annum.
1375 John de Northampton was keeper of the gaol of Cork; his
salary was a hundred shillings per annum.
V Cormac, Lord Muskerry, was murdered in Cork by the Bariys,
and buried in Gill Abbey ; from him sprung Daniel, ancestor
of the Carthys of Shanakil.
137g The king, in aid of the repairs of the walls of Cork, then stated
to be in great dilapidation, being by the hostile incursions of the
Irish enemy, almost totally destroyed, and for the relief of the
citizens and commons of the city, allowed them a remission for
three years, of the annual simi of 36 marks, which they were
bound to pay for the City, and for a hamlet outside the walls
called La Fayth.
Feh. 20. — Thomas de Clifford and Roger Lenfavmt, were ap-
pointed justices, to enquire, hear, and determine upon the crimes
perpetrated by David Naungle, in the counties of Cork and
Limerick, and to " clear the gaol of him according to law" and
to receive from him a reasonable fine, half of which was to be paid
to John Grassebek, for the expense of his capture, and the other
half, into the Exchequer.
April 16. — The neighbourhood of Youghal was wasted at this
time, by the Rocheynes, Glengibons and others.
May 10. — Certain foreign merchants, who frequented the
town of Galway, being unable to come to Cork, to pay customs,
on account of the danger and difficulty of the navigation ; it was
ordered that the staple of wool, and other merchandize, should be
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 27
at the former town, for the next three years, and that the customs ■A- D-
should be paid there, mstead of at Cork, during that time, not-
withstanding an ordinance lately made, that it shoidd be only at
Cork, Dublhi, Drogheda and Waterfoixl.
July 4. — The above mentioned privilege was extended to
Youghal also, at this time, on the petition of the sovereign, mer-
chants, and commons of that town, they likewise having therein
complained of the danger of coming to Cork.
A parliamentary subsidy was assessed upon Munster, Kilkenny
and Wexford, of which, the county of Cork was to pay 45 marks,
the city of Cork £10, and the cities of Waterford and Limerick,
£10 each; the clergy also granted a subsidy^ of which, 100s.
was to be paid by those of the diocese of Cork.
June 6. — 100s. was paid to Edward Perys, as a recompense 1377
for a horse of the value of 20 marks, which had been killed in
an expedition against the Barretts, rebels in the county of Cork.
10. — Gerald, Earl of Desmond, having come to the city of
Cork, at the commandof the justices of Ireland, with a great force
of men, and having remained there for several days, at his own
expense, was paid ten marks, to remunerate him for the same, and
as a compensation for his servant having been drowned by
accident, when riding over a piece of water, near the city, on a
horse belonging to the earl, of the value of two marks.
^pril 1 8. — Five marks were ordered to be paid to John Brittaii,
the chief remembrancer of the court of exchequer, because, when
on his journey to Cork, he had lost a horse of the value of 100s.
in the water of the town of Youghal, from a defect of the ferry.
Juhj 6. — The mayor, bailiffs, and gaoler of Coik, were com-
manded to release from prison, Dominick Piers, the master of a
ship, in consequence of his having stated, that Philip Barry,
vicar of the church of Kinsale, and others, had caused the ship
to be seized.
Jul^ 11. — The mayor and bailiffs were commanded to permit
Thomas Moyser, who had wounded William Ryston, to go at large
on bail, from the church of the Holy Trinity, to which he had fled
for refuge.
July 16. — John Warner was sheriff of the county.
28
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. The French and Spanish gallies having done much mischief
^^^^ on the coast of England, a fleet of Enghsh vessels of the west
counties, forced them to take shelter in the harbour of Kinsale,
where, being assailed by the united hostility of English and Irish,
they were vanquished with the loss of 400 men ; several of their
gallies, and twenty English vessels, which they had previously
made prizes of, were captured,
J\''ov. 11. — 100s. was directed to be paid annually to John
Northampton, the gaoler.
14. — The mayor and bailiffs of the city, having been fined for
not coming before the Exchequer, to account for the fami rent of
the city, and other debts, were exonerated from both ; they having
stated in a petition to the king, that the same had been forgiven by
1381 king Edward III.
This year Edmond Mortimer, earl of March and Ulster, and
Lord lieutenant of Ireland, died at Cork, on St. Stephen's day, in
the Dominican abbey ; and on the 27th of January the bishops
of Ossory, Cork, Cloyne, Lismore and Waterford, and Limerick,
James, earl of Ormond, the mayor of Cork, and representatives
elected by the cities of Cork and Limerick with other persons, met
at Cork, in the church of St. Peter, for the piirpose of choosing a
Jnstice in his place, when John Colton, dean of St. Patrick's,
Dublin, and lord chancellor of Ireland, was unanimously elected,
and sworn in Cork.
Jan. 11. — James Butler, who came to Cork, to the council for
choosing a justice of Ireland, was paid ten marks to indemnify
him.
14. — In consequence of the representations of the mayor and
bailiffs of Cork, who stated that that city, and its inhabitants
were so impoverished by robberies, &c. that some of the more
substantial of the citizens designed to go away ; and that some of
the magistrates, both of the county, and city, had resolved to
take bail, from such of the borderers of the county, as had
committed crimes at a time, when there was peace and a treaty
between them and the citizens ; and also that the city, from its
situation, was liable to be coufjuered by enemies, unless it were
defended by a force of armed men : the king directed the said
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 29
mayor and bailiffs to arrest those, who liail proposed to absent A. D.
themselves, on the aforesaid aeeoiiiits ; and to liberate all the
borderers of the county, who had been arrested for transgressions
committed in time of war ; and to arm all the citizens.
William Sygyn and J(jhn Galny were appointed admirals in
certain ports within this comity.
18. — The mayor and commons of the city, having petitioned
for a remission of their debts, in aid of the repairs of said city,
were allowed £40.
20. — The king, at the petition of Gerald, bishop of Cork,
granted him permission, not to attend the parliament or council,
on account of his infirmity.
27. — Similar permission was likewise granted to William,
bishop of Kerry, as he could not conveniently attend, on account
of the smallness of his bishoprick, and the dangers of the
way.
28. — The king granted to the provost and commons of Kinsale,
the keeping of the small customs of all merchandizes, which were
carried by sea outside the port, in order to defray the expenses
of building a w^all round the town, which was considered neces-
sary, in consequence of the burgesses and inhabitants having
suffered heavy insults from Spanish enemies. The sheriff" of
Cork was, at the same time commanded to permit them to dispose
of the same.
Feb. 3. — John Bryt and Richard Wynchedon, were ap-
pointed to receive, from Sir Philip Fitz-William de Barry, and
to dispose of for the advantage of the king, 1000 cows, which he
was to receive from Richard Oge Barrett and William his son,
and others, as fines for different seditions.
9. — The Mayor and bailiffs were commanded to provide a suffi-
cient nmnber of horses to bring Richard Oge Barrett and others
of the Barretts, who were in their custaiy as hostages, to Water-
ford.
17. — On the death of Simon Glamfordbrig, chai)lain of the
church of the Holy Trinity, the king presented John Kingstown,
clerk, to the same ; and a writ was issued, prohibiting all persons
from attempting anything in prejudice of such presentation.
30 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
^■^- ^j)ril 1. — Eight pence was fixed as the price of a bottle of
red wine of Gascony.
12.— Upon the death of Edmond, earl of March, lord lieute-
nant of Ireland, the rebels were so encouraged, that O'Brien of
Thomond, with an excessive force, endeavoured to make a
general conquest, in the counties of Limerick, Kerry, and Cork ;
in consequence of which, and the justice's being unable to remain
in Munster, without inconvenience to the king, it was agreed,
that Gerald Fitzmaurice, earl of Desmond, should go towards
Limerick " to assuage their malice ;" and 200 marks were
directed to be paid him, for one quarter's salary, and com-
missions of oyer and terminer were granted to him, and Walter
Coterell.
Si'jyf. 20. — The king pardoned Henry Greffde Bembrok; his
crime was, having carried a man, from the port of Cork to foreign
parts, without license.
1382 The people had an extravagant way of adorning their feet ;
they wore the beaks or points of their shoes so long, as to en-
cumber them in M'alking, and to render it neccessary to tie them
up to their knees ; the fine gentlemen tied theirs, with chains
of silver gilt, and others, with laces. This ridiculous custom was
in vogue, from this year, to the year 1467, when it was prohibited,
by a fine of 20s. and the pain of cursing by the clergy.
Another charter was given to the citizens, which, with all the
previous ones, was confirmed in the year 1399 and further enlarged
in the years 1401-1412-1422 and 1463.
1383 There was a great pestilence in this comitry, the greatest which
was ever in Ireland.
Jem. 28. — The king committed to John Horsyngton, proctor
of the house of St. Peter and St. Paul of Bath, in England, the
custody of the profits of the rectorial churches of Kinsale, St.
John the Evangelist, in the fairffh near Cork, and of Legan, in
the county of Cork.
1384 SejJt. 2. — John Drax was incumbent of Youghal, by presenta-
tion of the king.
Oct. 21, — Eobert Thame and John Lombard were apppointed,
" to hold parleys with the Irish enemies, and English rebels, and
to treat with them."
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 31
Kov. 14. — Juhannali, widow and administratrix of Jolin A D.
Warner, being in the occupation of the lands of her husband (who
had been sheriff of the county Cork, and collector of the customs
in the port of the city, both in the reign of Edward III. and the
then king) having represented that she could not find his rolls.
Sec, received a remission of her accounts.
Jan. 4. — The king appointed Gerald earl of Desmond and 138G
Robert Thame, sherifi'of the county, deputies of Philip Courtenay,
the lord lieutenant, for the defence of Munster.
Ft'l). 13 — Permission was given to William Sygyn, and William
Garden, to carry thirty pipes of salmon to England.
July 20. — Thomas de Everdon, clerk, was appointed to the
free chapel of the Holy Trinity.
Oct. 9. — Thomas Berbeg was advanced to the prebend of
Beaver, in the cathedral church of St. Finbarr.
24. — John AVayt, one of the bailiffs of Cork, obtained a license
to go abroad, and to appoint a deputy in his absence.
The lord lieutenant granted a license to William Sygyn and
others, to purchase six weighs * of wheat, barley, &c. in Wex-
ford ; and bring it in ships, to Cork or Kinsale, notwithstanding
any ordinances to the contrary, as the inhabitants of the former
town, could not, in those days, live commodiously, without
assistance from elsewhere, in consequence of the sterrility of the
surrounding country : Robert Hore and Thomas Admot, were
securities that they should not carry it elsewhere.
Similarlicences were, at the same time, granted to other citizens
to purchase from the counties of Dublin and Meath.
Dee. 1. — A tax of one farthing was laid on eveiy house, from
which smoke issued ; the money thus levied was called smoke
silver, and was made use of in payment of the watchmen, who
were posted on the borders of the enemy.
Ma?/ 22. — John Bryt and Thomas Admot, were appointed 1337
justices of gaol delivery in this county.
26. — The lord lieutenant granted special license to John Bryt,
to treat with Irish enemies and English rebels, in this county,
although they should have been indicted for seditions, felonies,
&c. ; " and to bring them to peace, as well as he coidd."
* A weigh is 48 bushels;
32 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A-D. Jinie2A. — The king ratified the estate of Thomas Harberg in
^^'^^ the archdeaconry of Ossory, and the prebend of Beaver.
^ug. 5. — John Hunt was vicar of the church of the blessed
Mary of YoughaL
^4?/^. 18. — The king committed to AVilliam Gardener, the
custody of the infirmary of Stephen at Cork, with all profits
1389 belonging to it.
At the earnest request of the inhabitants of Kinsale, who stated,
that that town lay in the midst of the rebels, they obtained an ex-
emption from attending wards, musters and parliaments.
Thomas Eusshok, bishop of Chichester, and confessor to the
king, having been driven from court, by the barons, and his
goods confiscated by parliament, took shelter at Cork, from which
place he petitioned the king, and obtained a grant of an annuity
of £40 for his support.
April 12. — The king's faithful citizens and commons of Cork,
having informed him that their city, and the parts adjacent thereto,
were so destroyed, that they would be obliged to leave that deso-
late place altogether, unless they were supplied with fruits &c.
obtained a grant from him, permitting them to go with their
goods, out of the city, and bring thereto, victuals for the necessary
1390 sustenance of it.
Jan, 8. — The king made it known to the admiral and other offi-
cers of Ireland, that he had granted the citizens and commons of
Cork, liberty to buy corn in any of the ports in Ireland, as it was
1391 impossible to reside there, without a great supply of food.
Oct. 26. — Gerald, son of Maurice, earl of Desmond, and
Patrick Fox, -were appointed overseers of the conservators of the
peace, and also conservators themselves, in the counties of Cork,
Limerick,and Kerry, with power to compel the sheriff, conservators
of the peace, and other the king's assessors, to muster the men at
arms, &c. and to marshal them into thousands, hundreds, and
twenties, and to lead then wherever there might be occasion, for
1393 the defence of the marches.
£46 13s. 4d. was ordered to be paid to Morrough O'Brien, for
restraining his son, who was the most dangerous of all the male-
factors, from making war against the king.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 33
Tlie king confirmed a grant, made by the mayor and commons A.D.
of Cork, in the year 1 38 1 , to WiUiam Droup, ' ' oi'land m Cork, and ^ ^^'^
Dungarvan, in the suburbs, (containing 80 perches in length and
2 in breadth, and extending, from the thread of the stream of the
river Lee, to the farthest part of the stone column of. the middle
bridge of the city, together with the watercourse, flowing and re-
flowing through said land) to build a mill there.
The king presented John Nugent to the vicarage of 1406
Kinsale.
The inhabitants of Cork, being at this time tired witli
perpetual oppression of their Irish neighbours, complained, in
a general writing directed to the lord Rutland and Cork, the
king's deputy there, and to the council of the realm, then assem-
bled at Dublin. The writing was as follows : — " It may please
your wisdoms to have pity on us, the king's poor subjects, within
the county of Cork, or else we are cast away for ever ; (for where
there was in this county, these lords by name, knights, esquires,
gentlemen and yeomen, to a great number, that might dispend
£800, £600, £400, £200, £100, 100 marks, £20, 20 marks,
£10 ; some more, some less, besides those lords following : — first
the lord marquis Caro ; his yearly revenue was, besides Dorzey-
haven, and other creeks, £2,200 sterling ; the lord Barnewale
of Beerhaven ; his yearly revenue was, besides Bearehaven, and
other creeks, £1,600 sterling: the lord Vggan of the great
castle ; his yearly revenue was, besides havens and creeks,
£1,300 sterling: the lord Balram of Emforte ; his yearly
revenues, besides havens and creeks, 1,300 sterling : the
lord Courcy of Kilbrittain ; his yearly revenue, besides havens
and creeks, 1,500 sterling : the lord Mandeville of Barren-
stelly ; his yearly revenue, besides havens and creeks, £1,500
sterling : the lord Arundell of the Strand ; his yearly revenue,
besides havens and creeks, £ 1 ,500 sterling : the lord Baron
of the Guard ; his yearly revenue, besides havens and creeks,
£1,100 sterling: the lord Sleynie of Baltimore; his yearly
revenue, besides havens and creeks, £800 sterling : the lord
Roche of Poole castle ; his yearly revenue, besides havens
and creeks, £1,000 sterling. The king's majesty hath the
E
34
CORK hemembrancer.
A.'D. the lands of the late young Barry, by forfeiture, the yearly revenue
^ whereof, besides two rivers and creeks, and all other casualties,
is £1,800 sterling :) And that at the end of this parliament, your
lordship, with the king's most noble council, may come to Cork,
and call beforeyou, all these lords and other Irishmen, and bind
them, in pain of loss of life, lands and goods, that never one of
them do make war upon another, without license or command-
ment of you, my lord deputy, and the king's council ; for the
utter destruction of these parts, is that only cause : And once,
all the Irishmen and the king's enemies, were driven into a great
valley called Glanehought, betwixt two great nMuntains called
Maccorte or theLepixDus Island, and there they lived long and many
years, with their white meat, till at the last, these English lords fell
at variance among themselves, and then, the weakest part took
certain Irishmen, to take their part and so vanquished their ene-
mies, and thus fell the English lords at variance among themselves,
'till the Irishmen were stronger than they, and drove them away,
and now have the whole country under them, but that the lord
Roche, the lord Gourcy, and the lord Barry, only remain with
the least part of their ancestors' j^ossessions, and young Barry is
there upon the khig's portion, paying his grace never a penny
rent ; wherefore we, the king's poor subjects of the city of Cork,
Kinsale and Youghal, desire your lordships to send hither, two
good justices, to see this matter ordered, and some English captains,
with twenty Englishmen,* that may be captains over us all, and
we will rise with them, to redress these enormities, all at our
own costs ; and if you do not we be all cast away, and then farewell
Munster for ever; and if you will not come nor send, we will send
over to our liege lord the king, and complain on you all."
At this time the city of Cork, was so encumbered with evil
neighbours, the Irish outlaws, that (as Campion states) the
inhabitants were forced to watch their gates continually, to keep
them shut at service times, at meals from sun -set to sun arising,
nor suffer any stranger to enter them, with his weapon, but
to leave the same at a lodge appointed. They walked out at
seasons for recreation " with strength of men furnished, thoy
* " Men of Englisli race, laws and customs." (^See the Introduction.)
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 35
matched in wedlock among themselves, so that well nigh the whole A.D.
city was allied together."' '
Jan. 16 — In consequence of the poverty of Kinsale, the in- 1^^^
habitants, obtained a privelege, that no foreign merchant, or
other person should trade therein, without the license of the pro-
vost and commons.
Jan. 27. — The king forgave Sir John Barry all his debts, in
consequence of his having, for some years, supported at his owia
expense, the burdens of the wars in the county, by reason of his
office, (being sheriff of Cork).
Ireland was sore afflicted for want of corn. 1410
The king presented Richard Pellyn to the vicarage of Kinsale. 1412
The king granted the town of Inoshanon, with its ferry, to
Philip de Barry, by letters patent,
John Galway of Kinsale, was appointed to arrest all Irishmen, 1413
passing out of Ireland without royal leave, contrary to the statute,
The king granted to Richard 0"Hedyan, the free chapel of the 1414
Holy Trinity, and commanded the mayor and baliffs of Cork to put
him in possession thereof.
The bishop of Cork was present at the general council held at 1415
Constance, in this year and the foUov/ing, and wrote of the acts of
that council.
Feb. 6. — The fines which had been imposed on Sir John
Barry, late sheriff of the county, for not having come to the king's
courts, were remitted by the king, in consequence of his having
stated, that he was unable to attend, as his men and horses had
been killed in the war with the Irish.
Several merchants of Athenry, having shipped goods from j ^jq
Galway for Lubeck, proceeded to Kinsale, for the purpose of
paying the duties there, as there was no collector of customs in
Galway ; a heavy tempest however arising at sea, prevented their
making any Irish harbour, and they were obliged to mn into that
of Sluys, in Flanders ; upon their return to Galway, tl>ey deposited
the customs in the hands of Thomas Lynch, a merchant of that
town, and petitioned for relief from the penalties, which they had
incurred by such their unintentional violation of the law, which
was accordingly granted to them.
36 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A^-D. Sept, 15, — John Saunders, of Bristol, merchant, and Robert
Gardmer, were appointed keepers and inspectors in the ports of
Galway, Cork, Kinsale, and Youghal, to be held by their
deputies.
Dec. 8. — The king committed to John Tobyn, the offices of
water-bailiff, keeper and examiner of the ports^ and buyer of the
king's wines, in all the ports and maritime places within the
coimty, to be held by himself and his deputy.
I'l^l Richard O'Hedian, archbishop of Cashel, was accused before
the Parliament, by the bishop of Lismore and Waterford, upon
thirty articles, amongst others, that he made very much of the
Irish, and that he loved none of the English nation — that he went
about to make himself king of Munster, and that he had taken the
ring from the image of St. Patrick, which the earl of Desmond
had offered.
In the same parliament, then assembled, there arose a conten-
tion between Adam Payn, bishop of Cloyne, and another prelate,
because the former endeavoured to unite tohis see, the church of
the other, which h© was unwilling to pemiit, and therefore they
were both dismissed to the court of Rome.
1422 Pgj)^ 18_ — The king committed to Maurice Roche, lord of
Feraioy, the office of sheriff of the county, to be held during his
Majesty's pleasm*e.
In the same year, Robert Taylor, of Swords, was granted license
to ship corn, for the supply of Kinsale.
1425 ■^^^' ^- — "^^^ ^^^S granted to Robert, son of Philip Holhane,
audMargaret de Barre, his freedom, and liberty to use English law ;
because, though he had the surname of an Irish family, viz.
the Holhganes, yet nevertheless, he and his ancestors were, from
the time of the conquest of Ireland, themselves faithfid liege-men
of the king, and had also associated with faithful liege men of the
king.
^ug. 24. — The king commanded all men to be obsequious
(intendentes) to William Copener, as deputy guager of wines, in
the county Cork, to which office he had been appointed by
Thomas Chamer, guager of wuies in Ireland, during the pleasure
of the kin a; and said Thomas.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. '37
Sept. 25. — The pope having appointed Jordcin, Chancellor of ^■^■
Limerick, to the bishoprick of Cork and Cloyne, the king '''
accepted his fealty, and restored his temporalities, in consequence
of his having disclaimed all things in the pope's letters, prejudicial
to the royal dignity.
The king appointed the mayor of Cork, and John Moriagh, 1432
citizen of the same place " to enquire of treasons in the county."
The revenue of Ireland fell short of the expense of keeping it, 1433
by four thousand marks.
A law was made this year, that all natives of Ireland should 1438
return to their- own country, in consequence of the outrages which
they had committed in England.
June 12. — Eobert Fitz Geoflry Cogan granted all his lands in
Ireland, (being half the kingdom of Cork) to James earl of Desmond,
and by a letter of attorney, put him in possession of the following
places, viz : — Kerrygrohanmore, Downdrenane alias Castlemore,
Eathgogane, Bever alias Carrigaline, Shandon, Douglas, Kerry-
currihy, &c. and though it appears, from a great number of
records, that the kingdom of Cork, by the heirs general, descended
to Carew and Courcy, who are charged in the Exchequer for
the Crown rent of it for many years, viz : £60 each per annum,
yet this conveyance from Cogan, who was heir male, was then
a sufficient pretence for the powerful earl of Desmond, to seize on
that great estate.
James, earl of Desmond, obtained a patent for the government ^■^^^
and custody of the counties of Cork, Waterford, Limerick, and
Kerry. He also procured a license, from James, earl of Ormond,
lord lieutenant of Ireland, to absent himself during his life, from
all future parliaments, providing a sufficient proxy in his room ;
and to purchase any lands he pleased, by whatever service they
were holden of the crown.
The bishop of Cork and Cloyne, and the dean and chapter of 1^-15
Cork, signed a testimonial of the good behaviour of James, earl
of Ormond, during his administration as lord lieutenant of Ireland;
it was also signed by the corporation of Cork and Yonghal, the
lords Barry, Iloche, and others.
. There was a great plague and fauiine iu Ireland. 1417
38 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. Ill this same year, it was enacted, in a parliament, held at Trim,
^ ' that every man shave his upper lip, or else be used as an Irish enemy.
1460 Dennot Sullivan, built a house for Minorites at Bantry, near the
sea shore.
The fourth abbey in Youghal, reformed to observant friars, being
before that time conventuals of the Franciscan order : the occa-
sion of its establishment is said to have been thus ; Maurice
Fitzgerald was building a castle in the town, and while they
were at work about the fomidation, the workmen, on the
eve of some festival, came and begged a piece of money
from him, to drink his health ; the earl ordered his eldest
son to give it, but he, instead of obeying his father's direction,
abused the workmen, which his father was so concerned at, that,
instead of finishing the castle, he erected a house of grey friars,
took upon himself the habit, and died here, in the 80th year of his
age, in the year 1256. This house according to Ware, was the
first franciscan friary in Ireland, Wadding says, that several
religious men were interred here.
1461 After the death of the duke of Clarence (brother to king
Edward IV,) who was lord lieutenant of Ireland in this year,
and continued so for seven years, the Irish rebelled in the
North, under O'Neil, and in Munster, under Murrough O'Brien,
who raised forces in Thomond, and over-ran the greatest part of
the country, and ruined several walled towns, amongst others,
Mounie and Buttevant.
The king granted to William, Lord de Barry, an annuity of
twenty-three marks, chargeable on the customs of Cork, Kinsale,
Youghal, ^'c.
In a Parliament held by Thomas, earl of Desmond, an act was
passed, for imposing a tax upon such strangers as came to fish
upon the Irish coast.
1462 Mints were established, at this time, in several places in Ireland,
for coining groats, two-penny pieces, pence, half-pence, and
farthings ; and English money was advanced to a fourth part more
in value in Ireland, than it was current for in England.
There were eleven parish churches in and about Cork at this
time, as appears by a charter granted by Edward IV., viz. : —
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 39
St, Mary Sliandon, St. Catherine, and St. Brendan, on the north A. D.
side of the river ; Christ Church, St. Peter, St. John, St. Nicholas, ^"*^-
St. Bridget, St. Mary Nard, and St. Stephen, on the south side of
river ; and St. Laurence's chapel, near South-gate.
An act was passed in Ireland, for the security of privilege ^ ^'■'^
to members of Parliament, during their sitting, and for forty days
before and after it.
Youghal was incorporated by Edward IV, by the interest of
Thomas, earl of Desmond ; and in a parliament held at Wexford
before said earl, an act was passed to ratify and confirm all letters
patent, grants, franchises and privileges, confirmations &cc. to the
mayor, bailiffs, portrieve, and commons.
Youghal college was founded by Thomas, earl of Desmond, and 14G4
confirmed by his son, James, in 1472, and by Maurice, his brother
in 1496 ; the community, at first consisted of, a warden, eight
fellows and eight singing men, who lived in a collegiate manner,
having a common table and all other necessaries allowed them,
with yearly stipends, (the whole donation, at the time of the founda-
tion, being worth £600 a year.) In 1464, King Edward IV.
granted letters patent to Robert Miles and Philip Christopher,
chaplains in the college church of the blessed Virgin Mary of
Youghal, to purchase lands for the use of this church to the value
of 20 marks yearly, notwithstanding the statute of mortmain, and
in the same patent pardoned them, for what they had purchased
before this license. The foundation charter, and the appropriation
of the several tithes to this house, were confirmed by Jordan,
bishop of Cloyne, under his seal, and that of William Roche,
archdeacon of Cloyne, who was then the bishop's coadjutor. Pope
Alexander by a bull, dated, in 1494, confirmed these grants, and
gave the warden and fellows a license to purchase others and unite
them to the college. In 1590 Pope Julius bestowed the vicarage
of Kilmacdonough on this house, and confirmed the bulls of
his predecessors in its favour. In the charter of foundation the
patron is stiled earl of Desmond, lord of Decies, lord of Imokilly,
lord of the regalities and liberties of the county of Kerry, and patron
of this foundation.
In a parliament held this year, it was enacted that it should be M'^'J
40 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. lawful to kill thieves or robbers, who had no men of good name in
English apparel in their company.
1467 The earl of Desmond was beheaded at Drogheda, under the
government of John, Lord Tiploft, earl of Worcester, &c. lord
deputy of Ireland, (an act being passed to attaint him of high
treason, for alliances, fosterages, &c. with the king's Irish enemies,
and for supplying them with horses and arms, and supporting
them against the king's subjects.) Some say that William
Shirwood, bishop of Meath, was an active person in prosecuting
this earl, for before this, there were great animosities between
them. Campion makes the cause of his untimely end to have been
owing to his having advised king Edward IV. not to marry Sir
John Grey's widow ; for, some time after, the king having a
dispute with his queen, let fall those words " That if he had
taken his cousin Desmond's advice, her pride would have been
more humbled ;" she seemed to take no notice of it at the time,
but upon their reconciliation, asked the king what advice the earl
of Desmond had given him, which concen:ied her ? The king
imagining that it was not in her power, to do him any mischief,
freely told her ; upon which she tirst made interest, to procure
Desmond's removal from the government of Ireland, and had her
favourite, the earl of Worcester, sentover in his room; who, calling
a parliament at Drogheda, (a place remote from the eai'l's estate
and alliances,) there attainted him, and had him executed to the
no small astonishment (says Russell) of the whole nobility of
Ii'eland. The same writer adds, that the queen procured a wan-ant
mider the privy seal for his execution. This earl had issue five
sons, who, with banners displayed, raised forces in this country,
went into rebellion, burned and wasted this province, and entered
Leinster ; but the king, being involved in troubles at home, sent
them over a pardon, which they accepted ; and James, the eldest
son, being then earl, had a grant of the county palatine of Kerry,
bestowed on him, with the town and castle of Dungarvan, in the
county of Waterford, which were before granted to his father
during his life.
A patent was passed to Edward, lord Dunboyne, of the prisage
of wines, in the ports of Cork, Youghal, Ross, Gallway, Limerick,
CORK REMEMIJRANCER. 4f
Kinsale, Duugarvan, aiul Dingle, with £10 per annum, for his A.D.
services, in taking O'Connor, and delivering him to the lord deputy. ^'^^^
Feb. 6. — The king pardoned Denis Herly, archdeacon of Cork, 1471
all his offences.
llichard Heron was appointed the king's master of the mint, 1473
within the cities and castles of Dublin, Drogheda, Cork,
Limerick, &:c.
^pril 8. — Maurice Roche, William Tiny, Edmond Coleys, 1474
and Edmond Tirry, son of dame Tirry, citizens of Cork, were ,- n r
appointed, by the king, collectors of customs in this city, and
of all the profits, Sec. of the fee-farm, and land-gable, and were
also appointed overseers and governors of said city.
Cormac, son of Thady Mac Carty, founded a convent of 1475
minorites, at Kilcrea, in this year, (or as others say, in 1465,)
and was himself buried in that church, in 1494.
An act was passed this year, m a Parliament, held before 1430
Gerald, earl of Kildare, lord deputy of Ireland, that no hawks
should be transported out of this country, without having a great
duty laid on them.
Jan. 20. — Philip Water, otherwise Philip, son of John 1481
Water,* citizen of Cork, was pardoned by the king, all his treasons.
Edward IV granted a charter to Kinsale- 1482
Jime 27. — Sir Richard Edgecomb, who had been employed 14S8
to receive the submission and oaths of allegiance of the Irish
lords, who had then lately espoused the pretensions of Lambert
Simnel,t amved in the harbour of Kinsale with five ships and
* This is evidently the same person as John Walters, the friend of Perkiii
Warbeck, the letter 1 being left out in his name by Sir James Ware.
f This Lambert Simnel, was a poor baker's or shoemaker's son, who
having been instructed by a priest, of 0.\ford, named Richard Symons,
passed over with his master into Ireland, where having been presented,
before the Deputy, Chancellor, Treasurer and others of the nobility, as
Edward, carl of Warwick, son to George Duke of Clarendon, and next heir
to the crown of England, he was shortly afterwards solemnly crowned in
the city of Dublin, in Christ Church, but having been taken prisoner in a
little time, through the king's mercy he was not condemned to die, but
was thrust into the king's kitchen, where for a time he turned the spit, and
was afterwards made one of the king's falcoucrs.
F
42
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D.
1488
1490
500 men, but possibly from some apprehension of the temper and
disposition of the people, he at first refused to land, and obliged
the lord Thomas Barry (Barry Oge) to attend him, on board his
ship, there to take the oath of allegiance, and to do homage for
his barony. But the next day Sir Eichard was prevailed upon to
enter the town, where in tlie church of St. Multotius, the lord
Courcey and the other inhabitants did homage, and swore
allegiance.
Lord Barry, of Barry's court was summoned to Parliament as
lord baron Barry. This family had long enjoyed the title of
viscount Ruttevant, and were created earls of Barrymore, in the
year 1627.
William de Rupe, alias Roche, bishop of Cork and Cloyne,
having in this year resigned these sees ; Thacly Mac Carty was
designed his sviccessor by the bishop of Rome.
]^gj This year was called the dismal year, from the continual fall of
rain all the summer, and autumn, M^hich caused a great famine
throughout Ireland.
Dec. — About the latter end of this month, there was a grievous
and pestilential sickness, commonly called the English sweat,
because it came from England into this country. Some of the
physicians imagined, that it proceeded from a certain malignity in
the air. The symptoms were as follows : " a sudden deadly
sweat seized on the body, and v/ith it a pain took them in the
head, the stomach being troubled witli a vehement burning heat ;
if they lay in their beds, they flung off the coverlets ; if clad,
they put off" their clothes ; others being thirsty, drank cold drink ;
and lastly, others who enduring the heat, kept on their clothes,
provoked sweat : so that, out of all the number of sick persons,
scarce the hundreth person recovered ; in some cases the disease
continued for twenty four hours, and then going away, the patients
recovered ; not but that it might be taken a second time, as
happened to many, who thus perished."
Perkin Warbeck, having landed on the southern coast of
Ireland, without troops or retinue, or any means for fomenting
an insurrection, appeared in the city of Cork, in the character of
Richard Plantagenet, duke of York, second son of Edward IV,
1192
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
43
who had escaped from the tower. He was received, and enter- A.D.
tained by the citizens, and John AValters, an eminent merchant, ^'*"'^
who was mayor two years after ; Perkin, from this city, wrote
letters to the earls of Kildare and Desmond, for their assistance,
gratefully commending their former attachment to the house of
York, notifying his own arrival into their country, and entreating
their assistance, for the recovery of his rights ; the earl of
Kildare replied to this invitation, in teniis that rather induced
suspicion of his design, but Desmond at once chivalrously
declared for the adventurer. Before Perkin's appearance however
could produce any considerable effect, he was recalled to France,
by the urgent application of king Charles, who deemed him a
convenient instrument, for the purpose of forcing the English
sovereign to a peace ; he was there royally entertained imtil such
was concluded ; upon which he retreated into Flanders to his
supposed aunt the duchess of Burgundy. Three years after, he
set sail with 600 men, and arrived on the Kentish coast, where
160 of his followers were made prisoners, and afterwards executed.
Thence he sailed into Ireland, and remained for some time in
Cork, but meeting with little assistance, he passed over into
Scotland, where, by the king's consent, he married a daughter
of the earl of Hmitley, and procured the Scots to invade England
in his favor, but a peace being concluded between the two
nations, he was obliged to quit Scotland, and embarking with his
wife and family, he came once more to Cork, where on the 26th
of July 1497, he enhsted 120 soldiers, and by the assistance of
the earl of Desmond, procured ships to transport them into
Cornwall, to which place he was invited ; upon landing in
England he was joined by several thousands, but after some time,
finding his axmy decreasing, he surrendered himself, and was sent
prisoner to the tower, from which place he made his escape, but
was retaken.
There was so great a drought, this summer, throughout Ireland,
that many rivers were almost dried up ; the Cattle died eveiy
where with thirst.
In this year, being about the time of Perkin Warbeck's ^ -193
rebellion, Walter Fitzsymons, the Archbishop of Dublin, thus
44 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D, accounts, in a letter to king Henry VII., for the continuai
J4y<J insuiTections in Ireland. " The greatest and chiefest thing that
not only impoverisheth this your highness's lordship of Ireland,
as also causeth so many stirs and jars with them, is idleness, for
if the father have an estate, and dies, though he have never so
many children, they all hanker on that name, who is prince or
chief of them, rather than to take an employment or trade, sup-
posing it a disgrace so to do, their father afore them having
acquired an estate ; this is the custom of the country, which your
highness's subjects have learned of the natives, filling their
paunches, care not for any other than brawling and plotting.
There are so many stragglers and poor, that it is a more charity to
put them to work, than to succour them with victuals."
l-lSo About the latter end of this year, Cormack Carty lord of Mus-
kerry, "a small territory not far from Cork," was cruelly
murdered by Owen son of Teige, his coiisin german,
John Walters, citizen of Cork, was summoned to appear before
the parliament, for being one of Perkin W arbeck's chief abettors,
and was obliged to surrender himself to the constable of the castle
of Dublin, upon pain of felony, as also Philip Walters, his son,
then Dean of Limerick, and a day was appointed for theu' trials,
and that of several others, mentioned in the statute.
1496 August 27. — The king granted a pardon to Maurice, earl of
Desmond, for all his offences. David, archbishop of Cashel, and
the bishops of Cork, and AVaterford, were also pardoned, the
better to quell the contrivances, and designs of Perkin's friends.
1498 Oct. — The Earl of Kildare marched to Cork, and placed astrong
garrison in the City, on account of the disobedience of the citizensj
in affording assistance to Perkin Warbeck.
1499 JsTov. — Perkin Warbeck, and his friend John Walters, were
tried at Westminster, by a Jury of twelve men, found guilty of
high treason, and hanged at Tyburn ; their heads were afterwards
set up on London bridge. Philip Walters, the son of John, before
mentioned, was afterwards pardoned by the king's clemency; but
Lord Bacon says, that both the mayor and his son were executed
with Perkin.
1500 David Barry, archdeacon of Cork and Cloyne, suddenly slew
1504
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 45
his brother the Lord Barry, a person commendable for his bravery A.D.
and liberahty ; what prompted him to the commission ol' this act ^'^^^
is not known; the fratricide was immediately apprehended and
put to death by TJiomas Barry; and, twenty days after, his body
was dug up, and publicly burned by the command of Maurice,
earl of Desmond.
^'iu(/. 1 . — The Charter of Cork was restored (it having been
forfeited by the rebellion of the citizens) and a new one granted
to the corporation, with an enlargement of their privileges.
There was a murrain in all parts of Ireland, which destroyed 1502
a great number of cattle.
The pestilence raged this year in this province, and in the next
season there was a great dearth of provisions, of both of which
a great number died.
Allen Patrick O'Fihelly, of the order of the Friars Minors of 1505
the Observance, a man famed for his learning, departed this life;
and was buried in the Abbey of his order at Timoleague in this
county.
A blazing star or comet appeared in the month of August in this '■^^^
year, and was visible to all Ireland.
April. — In this month there happened great inundations of 1510
water, which overturned trees, houses, and bridges.
In the winter of this year there was so great a frost, that all the 1517
rivers of the county were frozen up for several weeks ; particidarly
the Lee and Avenmore (Blackwater.)
March 14. — Edmond Courcy, bishop of Ross, diedat this time, 1518
and was buried in the Church of the Convent of Minorites at
Timoleague, which had been founded in the reign of Edward the
second, by William Barry; or as some say, by the Cartys. The
library, beUfr}', dormitory, and Infirmary, were built by said
Courcy.
Richard Gold brought the king's sword, and presented it to the 1521
mayor of Cork.
In this same year, James, earl of Desmond, began to ravage and
lay waste the barony of Muskerry, belonging to Comiac Oge Mac
Carthy, with fire and sword. The Archbishop of Dublin, William
Rokesby, with other commissioners, went from Dublin to Water-
46 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. ford to a2)pease him, but in vain, for Desmond continued to bum
^^■^^ and destroy the lands of Mac Carthy, who was not backward in
his turn in revenging the injury, and who, confederating with
Sir Thomas of Desmond, the Earl's Uncle, but implacable enemy,
came to a pitched battle with the earl, in September, which proved
a bloody engagement, wherein Desmond's soldiers forsaking him,
he was obliged to save himself by flight, having lost above a
thousand men, and having had two of his Uncles, John and
Gerald, made prisoners. This battle was fought, according to
some writers, between Cork and Mallow, near Mourne Abbey ;
Mac Carthy Reagh, with the Carbery forces, assisted his kinsman
in this battle, and the victory, according to the same authors, was
owing to sir Thomas the Earl's Uncle, who charged at the head
of the horse, and broke the Earl's main body of Galloglasses.
1522 The plague raged in Munster.
1528 The sweating sicklies was in Cork ; the symptoms have been
described before.
1531 O'Sullivan tells the following story with great ostentation :
An English ship took a Spanish vessel that was fishing near the
Durseys ; upon which his grandfather, Dermot O'Sullivan, prince
of Bear and Bantry, (as he calls him) having notice of it, manned
out a small squadron of ships, and brought both the English-
man and the Spanish vessel into Bearhaven. The English
captain he hanged, and set the other at liberty.
1532 This year a blazing star was seen in Ireland.
1534 Thomas, the r2th earl of Desmond, died at Rathkeale in the
county of Limerick, being of great age, and was buried at
Youghal. He married, first, Ellen, daughter of Mac Carty, of
Muskerry, by whom he had a son Maurice, who died before his
father. James, the son of Maurice was the 13th earl who,
soon after his coming over from England to take possession of the
earldom, was cruelly murdered by his uncle, sir Maurice of
Desmond. The second wife of Thomas the 12th earl, was
Catherine Fitz-Gerald, daughter of the Fitz-Geralds, of the house
of Drumana, in the county of Waterford, and was reputed to
have lived to 1 4T) years of age.
1535 The Reformation was introduced into Ireland.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 47
William Coppingcr, esq. mayor of Cork, had the corporation A. D.
sword first carried before him. ^■^^'-'
A most violent plague raged in the city of Cork.
The young earl of Kildare, who was about thirteen years of
age, and the only remaining heir of that illustrious family, took
shelter at Kilbrittan in this county, at the house of Ellen Fitz-
Gerald his aunt, who was widow to Mac Carthy Eeagh. This
lady was afterwards married to O'Donnel, and made a stipulation
in one of the marriage articles, that he should protect her
nephew ; she soon however, quitted her husband, as he endea-
voured to betray the earl, her nephew, who was obliged to fly for
protection into foreign kingdoms.
This year John Bennett, alias Ferret, bishop of Cork and 153G
Cloyne, died, and was succeeded by Dominick Tirrey, rector of
Shandon church.
Feb. 20. — Four ships freighted with Portuguese wines, were 1537
driven by a tempest on the west coast of this county; these
ships were consigned to the merchants of Waterford, one of
which, called La Sancta Maria de Soci, laden with 100 tuns of
wine, was driven into a bay near the entrance of Baltimore har-
bour. Fineen O'Driscoll and his son went on board the vessel,
and agreed with the merchants to pilot the ship safe into the
harbour for three pipes of wine ; but when they had tasted the
liquor, forgetting their promise, they invited the merchants on
shore to dine with them in the castle, where they put them into
irons and took and plundered 72 tuns of the wine out of the ship,
which they divided among their neighbours. The news of this
action arrived, on the third of March, to the merchants of Water-
ford ; who fitted out a vessel, well manned and armed, under
the command of Pierce Dobbyn, and the next day at noon arrived
suddenly at the ship. Gilly DulT, who was a natural son of
0"Driscoirs, being on board with twenty four of his men, fled out
at one side, while Dobbyn boarded her on the other, manned her,
and set the prisoners at liberty, and after firing several great guns
at the castle, brought off the ship to Waterford, there remaining
in it twenty five tuns of wine. Towards the end of the month the
mayor of Waterford fitted out thi-ee vessels with artillery and four
48 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
■^•^- hundred men, under the command of Captam Woodlock and
1537
others, they arrived the first of April at night, in the harbour of
Bahimore, and anchored under the castle then defended with
artillery. They fired at it all night, but at day break the garrison
fled, and the Waterford men landed in good order in the island of
Inishercan, and besieged the fortress there, called the castle of
Dunalong, i.e. the ship castle; the seamen entered the castle by
the small port and set up Saint George's standard, and the army
marched in by the gate of the draw-bridge and kept it5 days, during
which time they ravaged the island and destroyed all its villages,
and also the Franciscan friary which stood near the castle. The
fortress was doubly warded with two strong piles or castles,
with walls and barbicans ; the halls and offices they quite destroyed
They found in the island a considerable quantity of malt, barley
and salt. O'Driscoirs chief galley of thirty oars, was taken,
and above three or four score pinnaces, of which fifty wei'e
burned, and the great galley was carried to Waterford. They also
destroyed another castle of O'DriscoU's seated in an island called
Inchipite. They set fire to Baltimore, and broke down another castle
there belonging to O'DriscoU ; William Grant, one of the seamen
was on the top of one of the castles, which being all on fire under
him, he stood upon a pinnacle and cried out for assistance ; upon
which one Butler tied a small cord to an arrow and shot it up to
Grant, by means of which cord he drew up a rope, which he
fastened to the pinnacle and slid down safe to his companions ; after
this the army arrived safe in Waterford.
1539 This summer was so dry in Ireland, that the Lee at Cork was
almost dried up, and several other rivers also, for want of rain.
Tlie autumn was veiy sickly, fevers being everywhere, whereof
many died.
lOil The bishop of Cork and Ross, the bishop of Waterford, toge-
ther with the mayors of Cork and Youghal, were appointed by
the lord deputy. Sir Anthony St. Leger and the Privy Council,
judges, and arbitrators in Munster, to hear and determine all
controversies among the natives for the future, instead of their
Irish Brehons.
The lord deputy and council agreed that a commission should
^ Z X -o i ?
^ ^' cq ;j C) Ci)
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 49
issue to the earl of Desmond and others, to take inventories for A.D.
the king's use, of all the religious houses in the counties of ^•^^*'
Limerick, Cork, Kerry, and Desmond, to dissolve the said
houses, and put them into safe custody.
New Irish coins were issued, each of which had on the reverse,
an Irish harp stamped.
The Dominican friary here and its appurtenances, with a water 1544
mill, a fishing pool, half a salmon weir, &c. werc granted to
William Boureman.
This year there was a great plague in Cork. 1547
Mr.Davis, an English gentleman of rank, was cruelly murdered
in this city.
Dermot O'Sullivan, of Bearhaven, was this year blown up in his IbA^
castle with gunpowder, by accident, and his brotherAmla^'Us, who
succeeded him, was killed soon after.
Sir James Croft, a Herefordshireman and one of the king's 1551
privy chamber, being appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland landed
at Cork, and there, on the 23d of May, received the sword from
his predecessor Sir Anthony St. Leger. The annals of Dr. Dudley
Loftus say, that he landed in Dublin March 26th and rode to
Cork. While he was in the city, one of the Cavenaghs or Mac
Morroughs, was executed for some notorious offence.
The church liturgy was read in English. 1552
The King was advised by the parliament to build a fort on the
harbour of Baltimore, to oblige foreign fishermen to pay a tribute ;
but this advice was not put into execution, in consequence of the
king's death.
Jan. 13. — Amongst the Roche M.S. S. is extant a bond of this 1553
date whereby John Coppinger, a merchant of Cork, bound him-
self to Dominick Roche of said city merchant, in a penalty of one
hundred pounds " to accomplish and fulfil his promise, oath and
fidelity, made with the above named Dominick, and according
thereto, to marry and take to his wife one Kateryne Roche,
daughter to the said Dominick and Genet Goull, at such time
and season as they should appoint," and never obtain a divorce,
or separate from the said Kateryne, even though he might be
enabled to do so by any of the courts spiritual or temporal.
G
50 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A- D. ]\iac Carthy More, submitted himself to Sir Anthony St, Leger,
1^^^ the lord deputy of Ireland.
155 1 This year there was a very bad winter ; perpetual rain, hail,
or tempest.
1555 James, the 15l1i earl of Desmond, loi-d high treasiirer of Ireland }
was eldest son of John Fitz Thomas, the 14th earl. He died on
the 14th October in this year at Askeaton, in the county of
Limerick. He had four wives. His first was daughter to the lord
Roche, but this marriage was called in question, on pretence of
consanguinity, and the issue Thomas was reputed illegitimate.
James, the son of Thomas, however, afterwards assumed the
title. Thomas had a second son John, who becoming a bloody
rebel, fled into Spain, but afterwards submitted at Limerick,
as did also Mac Carthy of Muskerry, to the lord deputy, who
presented to a child of the former, to whom he stood godfather,
a gold chain, and to the latter, a gold chain, and a pair of gilt
spm's.
15C0 This year coins were stamped with Queen Elizabeth's effigy on
one side, and three harps on the other. The value of which were
r2d. each in Ireland, but only 9d. in England.
1552 Ireland was divided into counties.
1565 During the government of Sir Heniy Sidney, Mac Carthy
More was created earl of Clancarre- He went over to England,
and made a surrender of his estate to Queen Elizabeth, which she
regranted to him by letters patent, and after he had sworn fealty,
conferred on him the above title, and paid the chargesof his jour-
ney. He was at the same time, made lord Baron of Valentia.
O'Sullivan Bear also took out a patent for his estate, wherein
was a proviso that he should pay all such rents and services as
were due to the said earl of Clancarre ; amongst these were the
following : Every time Mac Carthy More, thought proper to go
to Bearhaven, O'Sullivan was obliged to give him and hi«
followers, entertainment for two days, and two nights, in his
castle of Dunboy, gratis, and also to quarter as many as he brought
with him on the adjacent coiintry ; he was to send provender to
Pallace for such of M'Carty More's horses, as he kept for his own
riding, and to pay his groom 3s. 4d. out of every arable plowland;
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 51
whenever M'Carty's hounds, gi'ey-hounds, spaniels, &c. came A. D.
tha way, he was to feed them, and pay Is, 8d. yearly, out of every
arable plowland to his huntsmen.
Sir Maurice of Desmond, commonly called the murderer, from
his having killed his nephew James, being eighty years of age,
assembled his followers, and marched from his estate in Kerri-
currihy, to prey upon the Mac C arty' s of Mu skerry; but as he
was carrying off his booty, he was pursued by his son-in-law. Sir
Dennot Mac Teig Carthy, who fell upon the plunderers, routed
them, and took Sir Maurice prisoner, whom he gave in charge
to some of his men, while he, with others, pursued the rest of
the flying party ; in the mean time the persons who were left to
guard him, fell on him and slew him ; Providence having thus
revenged the innocent blood of James, his nephew.
Daniel Mac Carty More, being encouraged by O'Neil's 1567
rebellion in the north, despised his new title of earl of Clancarre,
and assumed that of king of Munster, and confederating with
O'Siillivan More, Mac Swiney, and others, with banners displayed,
marched over the Blackwater, invaded the lord Roche's country,
destroj'ed all his corn with 700 sheep, and carried off 1500 cows,
killing several men, women and children.
This year the Presidency Court of Munster was first erected
Warham St. Leger being made governor.
A2yril 20. — Sir Henry Sidney, lord deputy of Ireland, wrote a
letter of this date to the council of England, in which he described
his journey through Munster. He arrived at Youghal, which he
calls a very proper town, but of late decayed by reason of pirates,
and no less annoyed by several landlords of the country, all under
the nile of the earl of Desmond. He says *' that the earl of Clan-
carre and Sir Owen 0" Sullivan Beare, the viscount Barry, the lord
Roche, lord Courcey, Sir Donagh M'Carty, captain of Carbery,
otherwise called M'Carty Reagh, Sir Denuott M'Carty, captain of
Muskerry, Barry-Oge, Richard Condon, and Barrett (all which,"
he says, " are the greatest, and indeed very great posscssiotierSt
in that county, and are, or ought to be, free subjects, owing imme-
diate sen'ice to the crown, nevertheless so injured and exacted upon
by the earl of Desmond, as in effect they were become thralls or
52 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. slaves) came to me at Youghal, with the exception of the twfj
1567 first, who were hindered by the earl of Desmond, and with open
mouths and held up hands to heaven, cried out for justice, and
that it might please her majesty to cause her name to be known
amongst them with reverence, and her laws obeyed, offering to
submit themselves, life and laws to the same." Sir Henry writes
in the same letter, " as touching the state of the country, forsomuch
as I saw of it, having travelled from Youghal to Cork, from Cork
to Kinsale, and from thence to the uttermost bounds of it, towards
Limei'ick, like as I never was in a more pleasant country
in all my life, so never saw I a more waste and desolate
land, no not in the confines of other countries, where actual
war hath continually been kept by the greatest princes of
Christendom, and there heard I such lamentable cries and doleful
complaints, made by that small remayne of poor people which
yet are left, who hardly escaping the fury of the sword, and fire
of their outrageous neighbours, or the famine, which their extor-
tions lords had driven them unto, either by taking their goods
from them or by spending the same by their extorts, taking of
coin and livery, make demonstration of the miserable state of the
country. Besides this, such horrible and lamentable spectacles
there are to behold, as the burning of villages, the ruin of churches,
the wasting of such as have been good towns and castles, yea, the
viev/ofthe bones and skulls of the dead subjects, who partly by
murder, partly by famine, have died in the fields as in troth, any
christian hardly with dry eyes could behold." " Surely there was
never people that lived in more misery than they do ; nor as it
should seem of worse minds ; for matrimony among them is not
regarded ; perjury, robbery and murder are counted allowable.
Finally, I cannot find that they make any conscience of sin ; and
doubtless I doubt whether they christen their children or no, for
neither find I place where it should be done, or any person able
to instruct tltem in the rules of a christian ; or if they were taught,
I see no grace in them to follow it ; and when they die, I cannot
see they make any account of the world to come."
1568 Sir Henry Sidney held a parliament, in which an act was
passed, to allow the Queen a subsidy of 13s, 4d. for every occupied
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 53
plowland in tlie kingdom, except the lands belonging to the cor- A.D.
porations. 1^G8
During the absence of Sir Warham St. Leger, who was sent
into the north, the Munster rebels greatly distressed his lady,
who was obliged to shut herself up in the city of Cork, being
daily threatened by them ; for Sir James Fitzmaurice, son to
Sir Maurice of Desmond, having gone into actual rebellion, joined
the earl of Clancarre, the chiefs of the Mac Carthys, together
with Fitz Gerald, seneschal of Imokilly, and others, who under
pretence of religion took up amis. The lord deputy Sidney
marched to Cork, to relieve the lady, in which town he met 400
soldiers newly arrived from England. From Cork he went to
Kerrycurrihy, and took Carrigaline Castle ; thence he marched
northwards and took Buttevant, whence he intended to have
gone to Kilmallock ; but that place was burnt by the rebels
before he arrived there. However, the lord deputy gave encour-
agement to have it rebuilt, and shortly after compelled the earl
of Clancarre, to submit and crave pardon of the Queen of
England.
Sir Peter Carew, whose ancestors had been fomierly marquisses
of Cork, came over well recommended from England, to the
council of Ireland, before whom he intended to have had a trial for
the recoveiy of the antient estate of his family, which besides several
lands in Leinster, was one half of the kingdom of Cork ; but
Sir Peter dying, the prosecution came to nothing.
Tracton Abbey was granted by Queen Elizabeth, to Henry
Guilford gentleman, and Sir James Craig on their paying £7 15s.
The abbots of it formerly sat in parliament. The monks pretended
to have a piece of the cross, which they said Barry Oge at a great
price obtained and gave to them. This was so firmly believed,
that on every PI oly Thursday, vast multitudes resorted to pay their
devotion to this supposed relick. From the monks having come
from Alba Lauda in Wales, as is before related, this house was
called De Alba Tractu.
An act was passed this year for giving the chief governor of 1569
Ireland the nomination of all Deans, Archdeacons, Chanters,
Chancellors, and Treasurers, of all cathedials in Miuister and
54 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Connaught, for the space of ten years ; except those of Waterford,
1569 Cork, Lhnerick and Cashell.
This year the Butlers invaded the Earl of Desmond's estate in
this county ; but they were suppressed.
1570 Sir John Perrot was made lord President of Munster, this year,
in the room of Sir AVarham St Leger, and chose for his residence
the city of Cork. He reduced all the Irish in this province to
the English habit, being assisted by Sir George Bourchier for
martial, and George Walsh for civil affairs.
Richard Dixon was advanced to the sees of Cork and Cloyne this
year ; but deprived the year after, for professing the Roman
Catholic Religion.
Stanihurst, who lived about this time, amongst other remarks
of the Irish and their manners and customs, makes the following
*' They follow the dead corpses to the grave with howling and bar-
barous outcries." "Their infants (they of meaner sort) are
neither swaddled nor laid in linen, but folded up stark naked in a
blanket till they can go. " "Proud they are of long crisped bushes
of hair, which they term glibs ; and the same they nourish with all
their cunning: to crop the front thereof they take it for a notable
piece of villainy." " Watercreses, which they tenii shamrocks,
roots, and other herbs, they feed upon ; oatmeal and butter
they cram together : they drink whey milk, and beef broth ; flesh
they devour without bread, and that half raw ; the rest boileth in
their stomachs with aqua-vitae, which they swill in after such a
surfeit by quarts and pottles. They let their cows blood ; which
grown to a jelly, they bake and overspread with butter, and so eat
in lumps : no meat they fancy so much as pork, and the fatter
the better." " In one comer of the land they used a damnable
superstition, leaving the right arms of their infants iinchristened,
to the intent that it might give a more ungracious and deadly
blow." " Their enormities were so great that apreacher is sooner
by their naughty lives corrupted, than their naughty lives by his
preachino- amended." " Their noblemen and noblemen's tenants
now and then make a feast, which they call coshering, whereto
flock all their retainers, their rhymers, their bards, their harpers
that feed them with music. In their coshering they sit upon
CORK REMEMBRANCEIl. 55
straw, they are served on straw, and lie upon mattresses and A D.
pallets of straw. They observe divers degrees, accoixling to ^'^'^
which each man is regarded. The basest sort amongst them are
little young wags, called Dalt'ms ,- these are lackeys, and are
serviceable to the grooms or horseboys, who are a degree above
theDaltins. Of the third degree is the Kerne, who is an ordinary
sokUer, using for weapons his sword and target, and sometimes
his piece, being commonly so good marksmen, as they will come
within a score of a great castle. Kerne signifieth, as noble men
of great judgment informed me, a shower of hell, because they
are taken for no better than ^rtA<'7itf//5, or the Devil's blaguards.
The fourth degree is a Galloglass, using a kind o^ pollard for his
weapon ; these men are commonly wayward, rather by profession
than by nature ; grim of countenance, tall of stature, big of
limb, burly of body, w'ell and strongly timbered ; chiefly feeding
on beef, pork, and butter. The fifth degree is to be an horseman,
which is the chiefest next the lord and captain ; these horsemen,
when they have no stay of their own, gad and range from
house to house, like errant knights of the round table ; and
they never dismount until they ride into the hall, and as far as the
table. There is among them a brotherhood of Karroiccs, that
proffer to play at cards all the year long, and make it their only
occupation. They play away mantle and all to the bare skin, and
then truss themselves in straw or leaves ; they wait for passengers
in the high- way, invite them to game upon the green, and ask
no more than companions to make them sport. For default of
other stuff they pawn their glibs, their fingers and toes, which
they lose or redeem at the courtesy of the winner." One office in
the house of a nobleman is a tale-teller, who bringeth his lord
asleep with tales, vain and frivolous, whereunto the number give
sooth and credit." " In their schools they grovel upon couches of
straw, their books at their noses ; themselves lie flat prostrate,
and so they chaunt out with aloud voice their lessons piece-meal,
being, the most part, lusty fellows of twenty-five years and
upwards."
The lord president, sir Thomas Perrot, brought James Fitz- jr-,
JIaurice to submit to the queen's mercy ; after which the whole
56 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. province enjoyed a profound peace, which is thus described by
Hooker : " For whereas no man could before pass through the
country, but was in danger to be murdered and robbed ; and no
man durst to turn his cattle into the fields without watch, and to
keep them but in barns during the night time ; now every man
with a white stick only in his hands, and with great trea-
sures, might and did travel without fear or danger where he would ;
and the white sheep did keep the black, and all the beasts lay
continually in the fields without any stealing or preying."
Campion writes at this time as follows : *' Linen shirts the
rich do wear for wantonness and bravery; with wide-hanging
sleeves plaited; thirty yards are little enough for one of them."
This year Queen Elizabeth gave a silver collar* of the order of
St. Simplicius to Maurice Roche, mayor of Cork, for his assistance
against the rebels.
1575 Dec. 23. — Sir Henry Sidney arrived at the city of Cork,
where, he says, " he was received with all joyfulness, tokens and
shews, the best the citizens could express of their dutiful thanks-
giving to her majesty." They received willingly his English foot-
men and galloglass, lodged and entertained them during his
abode there, which was six weeks, without grudging, or complaint
either of townsmen or of soldiers, the townsmen receiving in ready
money the one half of the soldier's wages for his board, fire and
lodging, wherewith he held himself very well satisfied, and tlie
soldiers in like manner well contented to give it ; Sir Henry writes,
thus to the council of England ; " the good estate and flourishing
of that city well approveth the good eflfects of resident authority
amongst them, for it is so amended as in so few years I have seldom
seen any town. I was, for the time of my continuance there,
very honorably attended and accompanied by the earls of
Desmond, Thorn ond, and Clancarre, the bishops of Cashel and
Cork, and the elect of Rosscarberry, the viscounts of Barry and
Roche, the barons of Courcy, Lixnaw, Dunboyne, Power, Barrie-
Oge, and Lowthe, who, only to do me honor, came out of the
English pale to that city, and did great good amongst great
* This collar is said to be in the possession of John C. Kearny, Esq. of
Gurrettstown.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 57'
ones; for being of this country birth, and of their language, and A.D.
well understanding their conditions and manners, did, by example ^^'^
of himself, being but a mean man of lands in respect of their
large patrimonies and manner of living both at home and abroad,
live more orderly, and more commendably, than they did or were
able to do, which did much persuade them to leave their barbarity,
and to be ashamed of their wilful misery. There were, besides
these above remembered, divers of the Irishrynot yetnobilitated;
the lord of Carbery, called Sir Donald Mac Cartie ; and the
lord of Muskerry, called Sir Coi-mac Mac Teigue Mac Cartie ;
neither of these, but in respect of their territories, was able to be
a viscount ; and tioily I wish them both to be made barons, for
they were both good subjects, and in especial, the latter, who for
his obedience to her Majesty and her laws, and disposition to
civility, is the rarest man that ever was born in the Irishry, but
of him I intend to write specially, ere it be long, for truly he is a
special man. There came to me also Sir Owen O'Sullivant, and
the son and heir of 0"Sullivan ]\Iore, the father not being able to
come by reason of his great years and impotency. Sir William
0"Carroll of Ely, 0"Carroll and Mac Donogho ; never one of
them, but for his lands, might pass in the rank of a baron, either
in Ireland or England. There were in like manner with me of
the Irishry, O'Kyne and j\Iac Fynnen, the sons or heirs, (as they
would have them,) of Macauley and O'Callaghan, the old men
not being able to come by reason of their age and infirmity.
O'Mahon and O'DriscoUs (each of them) have land enough, with
good order, to live like a knight either here or there. There were
with me that descended of English race. Sir Morris Fitzgarrold,
brother to the viscount Decies ; Sir Thibald Butler, whose uncle and
cousin-gemian were barons of the Cayre, whose lands he lawfully
and justly enjoyeth, and better desei-\'eth that title of honor than any
of them ever did ; for whom I intend more specially to write ; for
truly he is worthy any commendation." " There came to me
also many of the mined relics of the ancient English inhabitants
of this province, as the Arundels, Rochfords, Barretts, Flemings,
Lombards, Terries and many others whose ancestors, (as it may
appear by monimients, as well in writing as of buildmg,) were
H
58 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. able, and did live like gentlemen, and knights some of them:
and now all in misery, either banished from their own, or
oppressed upon their own. Lastly, there came to me five
brethren, and the sons of two other brethren of one lineage, all
cajjtains of Galloglass, called Mac Swynes, who, although I
place them last of the rest, yet are they of as mvich consequence
as any of the rest, for of such credit and force were they grown
into, (although they were no lords of land themselves) as they
would make of the greatest lords of the province, both in fear of
them, and glad of their friendship : and the better to furnish the
beauty and filling of the city, all these principal lords had with
them their wives, during all the Christmas, who truly kept very
honorable, at least very plentiful houses ; and, to be brief, many
widow ladies were there also, who each had been wives to earls,
and others of good note and account." "It may please your
lordships," Sir Henry continues, " to understand what this
company did, and what I, with the assistance of such othei-s
as I named in my former letters, together with Mr. Dowdall and
Mr. Walsh, whom I found commissioners in tliis province, what
we did ; and for them they seemed in all appearance generally to
loathe their vile and barbarous manner of life ; such as do not
already yield rent or service desire to yield both, and agreed to
deliver in the names of their idle men, and then to answer
for them, and if any were found unbooked, to be used as a felon
or vagabond. I caused daily sessions to be held in that city,
from the morrow after twelve day till the last of January, in which
appeared very honest and good juries, sound and good trial made
by them, a number of civil causes determined and ended; and
above twenty-four notable malefactors condemned and executed.
Condon or Canton Armon attainted and adjudged to die ; yet
stayed from execution ; but his lands which were great, were
escheated. A younger son of the viscount Roche was endited,
arraigned and condemned to die, but stayed for execution, for,
as the world goeth here, his fault was very small." Sir Henry
also says that he took pledges of every one of them of any
regard, and namely of the Mac Swines, abroad not a little peri-
lous to this province. During the Deputy's stay he had information
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 59
of the disloyalty of Fitz Gerakl, seneschal of Imokilly, and A. D.
received an account of several depredations of his upon the queen's ^^'^
loyal subjects ; upon which his lordship attended with two
hundred of the citizens and his own forces, marched to Bally-
marter, and took that castle; Fitz Gerald narrowly escaping
through a hole in the dead of the night.
About this time a tract was written by John Dee, in which he 1576
condemns the pmctice of strangers fishing at Kinsale, Cork, and
other places in Ireland. In his time he says Blackrock was
fished by three or four hundred sail of Spaniards and Frenchmen ;
and that king Edward Vlth's privy council was of the mind to
have planted a strong bulwark for other weighty I'espects, as well
as for the benefit of milwin and cod there.
This city obtained a confimiation of its charters.
Sir William Drury was appointed lord president of Munster.
The Augustinian Friary here, and its appurtenances, were 1577
granted to Cormac Mac Teigue Mac Carthy.
Sir William Dniry, who was this year appointed lord justice 1573
of Ireland, came into this province, attended by Sir Edward
Fitton and others of the privy council. On the 20th November
they wrote to queen Elizabeth, to shew the necessity of continuing
a lord president in Munster ; for upon the suspension of this
office, the Irish lords began to commit violence, particularly lord
Roche who kept a freeholder in irons, who was possessed of an
estate of eight plowlands, until he gave all up, except one half
plowland, and when he complied with that demand, he extorted
as much upon that plowland as he did upon any other in his
country,
IMathew Sheyne, bishop of this See, publicly burned the
image of Saint Dominick, at the high cross of Cork, to the
great grief of the superstitious Irish of that place. This image
belonged to the Dominican abbey.
Gerald, earl of Desmond, was restored to his estate by queen
Elizabeth, having been seven years confined in the tower of
London.
James Fitz Maurice complained to Henry the IV. of France,
of the English Government in Ireland, and of the persecution
60 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A- D. carried on against the natives on the score of religion : bnt Henry
taking little notice of him, he quitted the French Court, and
proceeded to Spain, where he made the same complaint to king
Philip, and made an offer of Ireland to him in the name of all the
Catholics of that kingdom. Philip sent him with letters to
Pope Gregory XIII, who received him, and an English rebel
called Stukeley, whom he appointed, with Fitzmaurice, generals
of the army, which he and the king of Spain intended to send
over to Ireland ; and ordered two thousand Italians to be imme-
diately raised for that service.
1579 The high sheriff of the county Cork, (Mr. Henry Danvers, an
English gentleman, who was gossip to Sir John of Desmond) went
into Kerry with justice Mead ; and, being one night at Tralee in
a house of the earl of Desmond, they, with Charters, provost
mailial of Munster, and all their servants, were barbarously
murdered, by Sir John while they were asleep in their beds.
Sir John Perrot arrived at Cork, with six ships for the guard of
the coast.
Fitzmaurice having come over to Ireland to prepare matters
for the reception of the foreign troops, was joined by Sir John
of Desmond, and James Fitz Gerald, the earl's brother, with
some Irish soldiers and galloglasses. The lord deputy. Sir
William Drury ordered the earl to attack a fort which they
had raised ; but he refused, alleging the greatness of the danger
as his excuse. Shortly after this Fitzmaurice, while on a
pilgrimage to the abbey of Holy Cross in Tipperary, was attacked
by Theobald Bourke and the sheriff of the county, and shot in
the breast. Sir John of Desmond now became commander in chief
of the rebels, the earl not intermedling as yet in the rebellion,
having promised fidelity to the queen, and given his oath to the
lord deputy to continue in his duty. Sir John soon after defeated
a party of the queen's forces, which success made him grow
exceedingly arrogant, and increased the number of his followers,
so that he openly set up his standard, and bade defiance to the
queen's authority. During this time the earl pretended to be
anxious for the queen's troops ; but, upon being commanded to
turn his face against the rebels, with a promise of pardon if he
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 61
complied, he, remembering his former long imprisonment, and A.D.
having evil comisellors about him, refused, and was on the first ^^'^
of November 1579, by sound of trumpet, proclaimed a traitor,
with James his brother and all their confederates and adherents ;
upon which this unfortunate earl went into open rebellion, and set
up his standard at Ballyhowra in this county. He next marched
to Youghal, which making no resistance, he plundered, and
carried away the effects of the inhabitants to his castles of
Strancally and Lisfmny, then possessed by the Spaniards. This
town was regained by captain White, but again retaken by the
seneschal of Imokilly, White and most of his men being slain.
By this means Youghal was left quite desolate, not a man staying
in it, except one poor friar : but the old inhabitants were after-
wards invited to return, a garrison of two hundred men being left
for their protection. The mayor, who had refused a garrison,
and had perfidiously yielded the town to Desmond, was hanged at
his own door.
Several of the Desmonds' castles were taken by the lord justice;
amongst the rest that of Carrigfoyle, then garrisoned by an Italian
captain and some Spaniards, who were all put to the sword.
^ug. 1. — Sir James Desmond was mortally wounded in an
attempt to carry off a prey from Sir Coimac Mac Teigue, and 150
of his men slain. Sir James was taken prisoner by a blacksmith,
a servant of Sir Cormac's, who bomid him, and hid him in a bush
till the fight was over, when he carried him to Sir Cormac, who
secured him, until, by the direction of the lords justices, he delivered
him to Sir Warham St. Leger and captain Walter Raleigh ; who,
by a commission to them directed, examined him, and had him
indicted, condemned and executed as a traitor, and his head and
quarters fixed on the gates of the city For this service,
Sir Cormac Mac Tieg was knighted by the lord justice, and made
high sheriff of the county.
A complaint was made by captain Raleigh against the Barrys 1580
and Condons for assisting the rebels, in consequence of which a
commission to seize on the castle of Barry's Court Avas granted to
Raleigh ; but Barry, having got notice of it, set the castle on
fire.
6*2 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Sir John of Desmond and James Fitz-John of Strangcally were
'^^^ attacked by captains Zouch and Dowdall at a wood near Castle
Lyons; the former, being wounded before he surrendered, died
by the way, but his body was hanged by the heels on a gibbet
near the North gate, and his head sent to Dublin to be placed upon
a pole on the castle ; Fitz John was also hanged and quartered.
1583 The earl of Desmond was most of this year accompanied by
only two or three horsemen and a priest, with which retinue he
was met in September by some of the lord Roche's men, and sur-
rounded ; but breaking through them he escaped. The priest,
having fallen into their hands, was sent to the earl of Ormond,
to whom he related the great misery the earl was in, and that he
had his only relief from Goran Mac Swiney, a captain of
Galloglasses, then under his protection. This Mac Swiney,
having soon after made an incursion into Carbery, whence he
was returning with a great prey of cattle, was, by reason of the
length of the way, forced to stay for the night at a place three or
four miles short of the earl's abode ; where, suspecting nothing,
he walked a little way out of his lodgment with one servant without
arms, which three Irishmen (from whom some of the cattle had
been taken, and who had followed at a distance in hopes of
stealing some of the prey,) perceiving, on a sudden, rushed in
upon them, and cut off their heads, and fled away after they had
thus revenged themselves. Goran's servants a while after, won-
' dering why their master staid so long, went out to look for him,
and to tell him that his supper was ready ; but, to their great
surprise, found him lying headless. After this accident his fol-
lowers were forced to join the earl, who shortly after, having taken
a prey of cattle, was pursued to Kerry near the side of a mountain
where there was a glen, and in it a little grove, through which
the pursuers observed a fire not far off. One of the company,
being sent to leani who was there, upon his return, informed
them that there were five or six persons in an old house,
whereupon they detennined to attack them, and entering it found
only an old man, the others having fled; when one Daniel
Kelly, (who was afterwards hanged at Tyburn but for the present
rewarded by Queen Elizabeth) almost cut off his arm with his
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 63
sword, and repeating the blow over his head, the old man cried A D.
out to them to save his life for that he was the earl of Desmond. ^^^^
Kelly upon this desisted ; but the effusion of blood causing the earl
to grow fiiint, and being unable to travel, he bade him prepare for
death, and on the eleventh of November 1583 struck off' his head,
which was sent by the earl of Ormond into England as a
present to the queen, who caused it to be fixed upon London
bridge; and his body after being hid for eight weeks, was buried
in the chapel of Killanamana, near Arnegragh in the county
of Kerry. Thus fell this unhappy earl, styled in history,
" Ingens Rebellibus Exemplar" " and thus" says Hooker "a
noble race and antient family, descended out of the loins of princes,
is now, for treasons and rebellions, utterly extinguished and
overthrown."
This year an inquisition was taken at Cork on the 4th of 1584
November, when it was found that Lombard, who was constable
of Cloghroe, usurped the possession of that manor which
belonged to the crown ; that the manor of Callin alias Glin,
between Cork and Kinsale, was the antient possession of
the earl of March, and was intiiided upon by Richard
Roche of Kinsale ; and that Glany was an antient corporation ;
that Mourne alias Ballynamony, near Mallow, had been an
antient corporation ; and that on the death of Matthew
Sheyn, bishop of Ross, that see had three plowlands of
Ballynaspick, the rent of Rochefort's land, the rent of
Currickanaway of Ringaskiddy, Downaghmore, Aghabulloge
and Canaboy, with the profits and rents of Ballyvouniy and
Killanully.
Sir John Norris was made lord president of Munster, with the
same allowance that Sir John Perrot had, who was now created
lord deputy of Ireland : he came this year to Cork, and took
hostages from all suspected persons.
May 20. — Stephen Skiddy, alias Scudamore, among other
legacies, bequeathed £24 per annum, chargeable on certain rents
payable by the guild of vintners of London, to the mayor of Cork,
in trust to be distributed among ten of the honest poor of the city,
of the age of 40 years and upwards.
64 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. This year the militia of this county were as follows : —
15S4 Shot. Billmen.
The city of Cork, 300 .... 100
The barony of Muskerry, 20 300
ditto Imokilly, 12 80
ditto Condons, 8 .... 30
Lord Barry's country 30 .... 200
Mac Carthy More, 8 .... 400
In all 478. 1140.
1586 The Bishoprick of Ross was annexed to that of Cork.
June 9. — Queen Elizabeth caused letters patent to pass the
great seal for the plantation of this province.
1587 About this time it was ordered that no grammar but Lilly's,
should be taught in this kingdom ; for that whilst other grammars
were taught in some schools, the youth who had used no other but
Lilies, upon their removal to such schools, were put back in their
learning, being forced to begin to leani a new grammar.
By an inquisition taken in Shandon castle, Cork, on the 9th of
September, a great number of Desmond's followers were attainted
and found to be accomplices in his rebellion.
1588 This being the remarkable year of the defeat of the Spanish
Armada by Drake, and other English admirals, several of their
ships dispersed by storms and tempest, perished on the Irish
coast.
1589 Sir Francis Drake, with five ships of war, being chased into
Cork Harbour by a Spanish fleet, sailed up the Carrigaline river
and anchored under Corribiny hill. The Spaniards entered the
Cork river, where they had supposed they had taken shelter, but
being unable to find them, sailed out again.
1590 A commission issued on the 12th of July to Sir Thomas Norris,
vice President of Munster, Sir Robert Gardiner, and Sir Nicholas
Walsh, justices, to compound with the inhabitants of this province
for cess, purveyance, &c., which, in the September following, was
done for three yeai-s.
1591 The abbey of Cork, with a church and the appurtenances, and
certain tithes, were granted to Cormac Mac Teigue Mac Carty,
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 65
and immediately after, to Sir Richard Grenville. It is to be A.D.
remarked, that the monks of this house erected the first salmon ^^^^
weir on the river Lee.
Trinity College, being in want of fmids, for forwarding buildings, 1593
and other necessary charges; the lord deputy, Fitwilliam, and
the privy council, issued circular letters to some principal gen-
tlemen in each barony of Ireland, to entreat the benevolent aid of
the well disposed inhabitants, and amongst the rest, to Thomas
Norris, the vice president of Munster, who replied, by the follow-
ing letter, dated Cork 26th August 1593.
"To my very loving friend, Mr. Lucasse Chaloner, these be."
Sir, — I am sorry that the bill which I sent, could no better serve
your turn, it is well known here, that I have not had to do with her
Majesty's revenue in this province, but since Easter last, and
that such as was then due and coidd be levied, was during my
absence, by virtue of certain writs directed to the sheriffs,
collected and sent into the Exchequer. The remainder is in such
men's hands, that it will not be had in haste before my going.
The county of Limerick did agree to give 3s. 4d. out of every
plowland, which I have sent men to collect, and will do my best
to draw the other counties to some contribution ; but I do find
devotion so cold, as that I shall hereafter think it a veiy hard thing
to compass so great a work upon so bare a foundation. I will do
my best speedily to send such as may be collected. You may well
judge, (my late occasion of expenses considered,) that my own store
is but small, and I assure you so small, as since my coming I have
not, without great difficulty, upon credit and otherwise, gotten
money to defray my daily expense, so as I doubt not but you
will hold me excused at this time. Thus committing you to the
divine tuition of the Most Mighty. — Your very loving friend.
Cork-street, in the town of Kinsale, was this year burnt to the jr^...
ground.
Donald Macarthy demolished the castle of Imacallc, and killed iryjG
many of the English ; he likewise pkmdered the castle of Kilfea- ^
cle and killed many there : soon after the English from Cork and
the neighbouring places, drew a great army against him ; but, by
the intercession of some, a peace was concluded, and the armies
on both sides withdrew. i
66 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. Spenser, in a work upon Ireland published this year, says
a There is a class of people among the Irish, who do pass up and'
down amongst gentlemen by the name of jesters, but are indeed
notable rogues, and partakers, not only of many stealths, by setting
forth other men's goods to be stolen, but also privy to many trait-
rous practices, and common carriers of news, with desire whereof,
you would wonder how much the Irish are fed ; for they used
commonly to send up and down to know news, and if any meet
with another, his second word is, What news ?" He also tells a
story of a Frenchman, who had been in Ireland, and who having
met an Irishman afterwards in France, whom he had known in
the former country, begged to know whether he had heard any
thing of the news that he had so much inquired for. The same
writer observes, that the Irish clergy are kept by their bishops
in such awe and subjection, that they dare not complain; "for
they knowing their own unworthiness and incapacity, and that
• they are therefore still removeable at their bishop's will, yield what
pleaseth him ; and he taketh what he listeth : yea and some of
them, whose dioceses are in remote parts, somewhat out of the
world's eye, do not at all bestow the benefices, which are in their
own donation upon any, but keep them in their own hands, and set
their own servants and horseboys to take up the tithes and fruits of
them." Writing of the effects of the wars in Munster he saj's,
" Notwithstanding that the same was a most rich and plentiful
country, full of corn and cattle, that you would have thought
that they should have been able to stand long ; yet ere one year
and a half they were brought to such wretchedness, as that any
stony heart would have rued the same : out of every corner of the
woods and glins they came creeping forth upon their hands, for
their legs could not bear them ; they looked like anatomies of
death ; they spake like ghosts crying out of their graves ; they
did eat the dead carrions, (happy were they who could find them),
yea, and one another soon after ; insomuch as the very carcasses
they spared not to scrape out of their graves ; and if they found a
plot of watercresses or shamrocks, there they flocked, as to a feast
for the time."
1598 Sir Thomas Norris came into Mimster, new troubles breaking
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 67
out, and not having a sufficient force to meet the rebels (who A.D.
murdered and stript all the English they could meet with,) shut ^^^
himself up in Cork. These rebels were sent into this province by
Tir Oen to the number of 4000 men, who raised James, son of
Thomas Fitzgerald, eldest son of James the L5th earl of Desmond,
by the lord Roche's daughter, to the title of Earl of Desmond. It
was he who was afterwards known by the name of the Sugan earl
of Desmond,
The lord deputy was ordered to find out what English mider-
takers had, contrary to their agreement, suffered Irishmen to live
on their lands ; and to enquire into the earl of Clancarre's estate,
which had fallen to the crown for want of heirs male.
Sir Thomas Norris was slain as he was fighting against the 1599
rebels ; he died at Mallow, and his death as well as that of Sir
Warham St. Leger, (who was killed by Mac Guire within a mile
of Cork as he was taking the air) raised the spirits of the insur-
gents. Upon his death, Sir George Carew was made lord
president of Munster ; and William Lacey and James Gold, esqrs.
justices of the province ; and Mr. Richard Boyle, who was
afterwards earl of Cork, was appointed clerk of the Presidency
court.
Sir George Carew sojourned here for some time, preparing for
the reduction of the province.
April 2\. — The lord president Carew came to Youghal with 1600
900 foot and 100 horse ; from thence he marched to Cork, and
having had intelligence that Florence Mac Carty and others were
in rebellion in Carbery, he sent 1200 foot and 100 horse under
the command of captain Flower. The rebels lay in ambush
about midway between Cork and Kinsale, in a glen on the north
side of the river^ but being timely perceived, the troops drew
up, and stood to their arms. The Irish on being discovered,
attacked the English, who retreated under the walls of an old
castle. Dm-ing their retreat, Flower ordered a party of musketeers
to conceal themselves behind a ditch, who fired on the Irish, and
compelled them to quit the pursuit ; they were then in their turn
charged by the English horse and routed, and retreated into the
ifastnesses of Kinalmeaky, whence they soon dispersed,
68 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Fynes Moryson, who wrote at this time about Ireland, and the
^^^ mannersof the inhabitants, says, "at Cork I have seen with
these eyes, young maids stark naked grinding corn with stones, to
make cakes thereof, and striking off into the tub of meal such relics
thereof as happened to stick to their bodies." " In cities passen-
gers may have feather beds soft and good, but most commonly full
of vermin, especially in the highways ; whether that came by
their being forced to lodge among soldiers, or from the nasty
filthiness of the nation in general ; for even in the best city, as at
Cork, I have observed that my own, as well as other Englishmen's
chambers, hired of the citizens, were scarce swept once in a week,
and the dust, then laid in a corner, was perhaps cast out once in
a month or two." " Many of the wild Irish eat no flesh but that
which dies of disease, or otherwise of itself ; neither can they
scape it for stinking. They desire no broth, nor have any use of
a spoon." " It is strange and ridiculous, but most true, that some
of our carriage horses falling into their hands, when they found
.soap and starch carried for the use of our laundresses; they,
thinking them to be some dainty meats, did eat them greedily,
and, when they stuck in their teeth, cursed bitterly the gluttony
of us English churls."
Hooker, who lived at this time, in a note to Geraldus Cambrensis,
writes thus of the Irish, " The Irish nation and people, even from
the beginning, have been always of a hard bringing up, and are
not only rude in apparel, but also rough and ugly in their bodies :
their hands and heads they never wash, cleanse nor cut, especially
their heads, the hair whereof they suffer to grow, saving that some
do use to round it, and by reason the same is never combed, it
gi'oweth so fast together that it is instead of a hat, and keepeth the
head warm, and also will bear off a great blow or stroke ; and
this head of hair they call a glibe, and therein they have a great
pleasure.
About this time Dermot Mac Owen Carty, lord of Duhallow,
and Mac AulifF, made suit to be received as subjects, which the
lord president soon after granted, as he had no other way at that
time, but to divide the rebels, that he might employ the whole
army against the pretended earl.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 69
William Barrett, of Ballincollv castle, au ancient seat of the A. D.
Barrett s, siil)uiittea to the queen s mercy. He had been concerned
in Desmond's rebellion.
Oct. 8 — James Fitz- Gerald, son to the attainted earl of
Desmond, was released from the Tower, where he had been a
prisoner from his childhood. The queen created him earl of
Desmond, and hoping that his presence in this kingdom would
draw his flither's old followers from James Fitz-Thomas, the
Sugan earl, she sent him over to Ireland. Having landed at
Youghal he proceeded to Mallow to the lord president, who
sent him into the county of Limerick at his own request, attended
by the archbishop of Cashel and Mr. Boyle, afterwards earl of
Cork, in whom the lord president reposed great confidence, and
gave him a secret charge to observe the earl's movements. The
earl was received by the populace with great demonstrations of
joy; but upon his being observed to enter a church to hear divine
service, those who had before cheered him, then reviled him
and spit upon him. After this public expression of his religion
he quitted the place, and from that time he was as little followed
as any private gentleman. The queen allowed him a pension of
£540 per annum ; but being tenderly brought up and unable to
live in the Irish manner, he returned to England, where he died
in November, 1601.
The lord president laid a plot with Dermot O'Connor and his
wife, who was daughter to the attainted earl, to arrest the Sugan
carl, which however failed.
Sept. 16 — The earl being defeated at Aharlow wood, was
forced to fly into Tipperary.
The chiefs of this province received pardons from the queen. IGOl
An act was passed to prevent men from riding in coaches
as effeminate.
Alaij — The Sugan earl was taken in a cave, where he was
concealed with his foster brother by some followers of the White
knight, who shortly after delivered him to the lord president at
Shandon castle. The earl having been attainted at a session
held at Cork in the preceding March, and adjudged a traitor, was
sent to London, where he died in the Tower in the year 1608.
K
70 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D.
1601
1602
July 28 — The president held sessions of gaol delivery at Cork,
where all the freeholders were summoned to appear ; it being his
intention then to seize the most suspicious persons, in the hope
that the report of his measures would prevent the invasion then
threatened by the king of Spain.
Sept. — Sir George Carew received intelligence of the Spanish
fleet having been seen off Cork harbour; the wind changing, it
afterwards put into Kinsale, at which place the troops that were
on board landed, and took possession of the town and of the castle
of Ringcurran. On the 26th, the lord deputy and the president
came to Cork.
Oct. — The lord deputy having waited in Cork until the
arrival of additional troops, marched from that city with an army
of 7000 men, 2000 of whom had landed from England.
23 — Several ships arrived from Dublin with supplies.
31 — Ringcurran castle was taken, and Don Juan d'Aquila, the
Spanish leader, and his men were sent prisoners to Cork.
J^ov. — Tir Oen and O'Donnell, marched from the north to
the relief of the Spaniards.
20 — Castle-park was surrendered by the Spaniards,
28 — A trumpeter was sent to summon the town of Kinsale to
surrender, when the inhabitants answered, that they held it, first
for Christ, and next for the king of Spain, and that they were
resolved to defend it against the enemies of both.
Dec. — The following castles were delivered to the Spaniards :
Castlehaven, by Donough 0"Driscoll, Baltimore and Dunalong in
the island of Inisherkan, by Sir Fineen O'Driscoll, and Dunboy
in Bearhaven, by Daniel O'Sullivan.
24 — The English camp near Kinsale was attacked unsuccess-
fully, by the Irish and Spaniards.
The president of Munster was directed to redeliver to the
burgesses of Kinsale their charter and insignia of magistracy,
amongst which was "a fair large standard of damask with the
arms of England in it," which had been first delivered to them
in the time of Henry VIII by Sir George Carew the president's
cousin-german.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. ' 71.
Kinalmoaky (formerly part of Curbery) forfeited by O'jMahony A. D.
in the earl of Desmond's rebellion, was by queen Elizabeth
granted to Grenville and Becher, English undertakers by whom
it was first planted, and got the name of a barony. It afterwards
gave title to Lewis Boyle, viscount Kinalraeaky, who was slain
at the fight of Liscarrol. It was formerly a mere fastness, being
all wood and bog, so that the army could not pass it, being obliged
to go round by Kinsale in their march from Cork to the siege of
Dunboy in Bearhaven ; but it is now as well improved as any
part of the country.
Jan. 2 — The Spanish leader agreed that his troops should
evacuate Kinsale, Baltimore, Castlehaven and Bearhaven castle,
on conditions that they should be at liberty to carry away their
arms, artillery, ammunition, treasure, &c., and that they should
be provided with shipping to transport them, and victuals, if they
paid for the same.
9 — The lord deputy and president broke up the siege and
returned with Don Juan to' Cork.
Feb. — Castlehaven, Baltimore, and the castle of Cape Clear,
surrendered successively to captain Harvey.
16 — Don Juan embarked at Kinsale, and the lord deputy
returned to Dublin. The night he left Cork he lodged with Sir
John Fitz-Edmond Fitz-Gerald at Cloyne, which he then held in
fee-fann from the bishop.
June — Dunboy castle was taken by the president after an
obstinate resistance, as were also soon after other castles in this
county.
A law was passed that no victualler should sell less than one 1603
full quart of the best beer for Id., and two quarts of the smaller
sort for the same.
Sir James Fullerton, obtained a patent from king James the first,
for several concealed church lands, by virtue of which patent he
laid claim to the college of Youghal ; but Sir Richard Boyle gave
him a sum of money foy his title.
.April 11 — Captain ]\Iorgan w\is sent to Cork by the lord
deputy to proclaim king James the first, upon which occasion Sir
George Thornton, one of the commissioners of Munster, applied
72 CDRK REMEMBRANCER,
A.D. to the mayor, who answered, that "by the charter he might take
time to consider of it," and, upon being informed of the kingis
having been proclaimed in DubUn, insok^ntly answered, that
Perkin Warbeek was also proclaimed in that city, and yet much
' damage therefrom had followed to the country; upon which Saxey
the chief justice of Munster said they ought to be committed
if they refused. To this Mead the recorder replied, that no
person there had authority to commit them: whereupon, after a
delay of two hours, during which time they deliberated in the
court-house, while Thornton waited for them in an adjoining walk,
Mead the recorder informed him in a veiy passionate way, that
they could not answer him 'till the next day. Mr. Boyle, after-
wards earl of Cork, being present, desired Mead not to break out
in so unreasonable and choleric a manner ; to which he replied,
that although he would not break out; there were several thousands
ready to do so. They then despatched a messenger to the mayor
of Waterford, to enquire if the queen was really dead ; but though
informed by him that she was, they still further delayed the
ceremony, and consulted about surprising the fort of Haulbowline,
alleging that there were two pieces of ordnance there, which
belonged to the city, and refusing to permit ammunition and
provisions to be sent there, till these were delivered up. They
armed the citizens to prevent soldiers from entering tlie town,
and, upon being a second time solicited to permit the King's
ordnance to go down, they gave this answer in court : "we have
as you see called our brethren here together about this business,
and we have come to this resolution, that the fort of Haulbowline
is a very pestilent impoverishment to our corporation, and there-
fore we think it noi meet to suffer any relief to go thither, nor will
we." Upon this delay, Sir George Thornton, with lord lloche,
and abovit 800 soldiers proclaimed his majesty in the north
suburbs, near Shandon castle ; but the mayor and sheriffs put
off the solemnity to the IGth of April, and wrote to the lord
deputy, that they had received the king's proclamation on the
1 1th, but had deferred the publication of it, that it might be
done with more solemnity, humbly praying that the fort of
Haulbowline might be put into their hands, and complaining
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 73
tliat the soldiers then in that fort had shot at some fishermen and A.D.
boats which the city had sent out for provisions. During this
time there was much disturbance in the city, the principal actors
in which were WilHam IVfead the recorder, Philip Gold and
Lieutenant M urrough, (who, as we are informed by Mr. Boyle,
had served in the league in France and were principal officers
to lead and discipline tlie town forces,) Edward Eoche brother
to Dominick Roche, the priest, and Owen Mac Redmond, a
schoolmaster. This fellow said that it was not known who was
king of England, for that to his knowledge about seven or eight
years before there was no other mockery in all the stage plays but
the king of Scots; that there were several who had a better
interest in the crown, as the Infanta and duke of Spain; that no
Englishman would abide the government of a Scot; that he was
the poorest prince in Europe ; that the president of Munster kept
a better table than he ; that there were earls under him better
able than himself; that he had nothing to live upon but abbeys
and church lands, and therefore the city had good reason not to
obey him ; that Watcrford and all the other towns would join
them, with the kings of France and Spain, that the king of
France had sent him word to leave France out of his- titles, or he
would destroy him . Being asked why he suffered queen Elizabeth
to bear that title, he answered it was because she helped him to
his crown, and from being king of Navarre made him king of
France ; and added, that if the king would not turn catholic, all
Ireland would revolt. Stephen Brown was a great director
about their ordnance, as also one Thomas Fagan, who fired a
canon sliot at Mr. James Grant when he was returning to Sir
Charles Wilmot, who sent him to the mayor. He had before
stripped Mr. Grant of his clothes, and was the first man who put
on his head-piece and seized on the king's stores in the city.
He said, that for his part no king should rule him but such as would
give him liberty of conscience. He carried a white rod about
the city and was stiled their principal church-warden, and he
never suffered an Englishman or protestant to pass by him
unabused. He had the impudence to revile sjr Gerald Herbert
because he would not put oft' his hat and do reverence to the
74 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. cross, which he was then carrying about in procession. Sir
Robert Mead or Meagh and John Fitz-David Roche were two
priests who fomented this rebellion. Mead ordered Mr. Apsley
the king's store-keeper to be killed and his arms taken away.
He also ordered the guard, which he placed on Skiddy's castle,
where the stores lay, to throw Mrs. Hughes, wife to the clerk of
the stores, over the walls and break her neck. He was the
principal stirrer up of the townsmen to take arms, and not only
assisted in every sally to take and destroy the forts, but also drove
such as were dilatory with a cudgel to the work. John Nicholas,
a brewer, was also a cannonier to the rebels, and it was proved
against him that he shot two soldiers from the walls ; he was
assisted by John Clarke, a tanner from IVIallow, who very dex-
terously mounted the cannon upon the walls, when none else
knew how to do it. He and Nicholas were both Englishmen.
It was proved against Edmond Terry another rebel, that he
advised the mayor to take the key of Skiddy's castle from Mr.
Hughes the store-keeper, and place the ammunition in Dominick
Galway's cellars, and that Hughes should not be suffered to come
there without a sufficient guard, all which the Mayor complied
with. Edward Roche, brother to Dominick Roche the priest,
said that the city would fight against the king himself if he came
to look for it, and that not only the country, but also the kings
of France and Spain would assist them if he did not give their
church free liberty. The mayor and recorder imprisoned Mr.
Allen Apsley, commissary of the king's victuals, and Mr. Michael
Hughes, clerk of the munitions. The recorder in person, with
a guard, carried Mr. Apsley from his own house to the common
gaol, and then distributed the king's stores as he thought proper.
They demolished the fort on the south s-ide of the city, in which
action they killed and wounded several soldiers. The day before
they demolished this fort, the recorder striking himself on the
breast, solemnly swore at the door of Skiddy's castle, that if the
mayor would not take charge of the king's stores, he would
presently quit the town for ever, upon which he tm'ned about to
the crowd, who huzza'd and applauded him for his speech. Then
Thomas Fagan and Murrough clapped on their head-pieces, and
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 75
with their swords and targets forcibly possessed themselves of -^:P-
Skiddy's castle. The day before they demolished the fort the
mayor assembled the citizens and told them, that before forty
hours passed all Ireland would be in arms against the king, and
that the crown of England should never more recover Ireland.
He also wrote several seditious letters to most of the lords and
chief men of this province, desiring them to join the citizens in
their cause which was for liberty of conscience. The recorder
being asked why the king's fort was broken down by the people,
answered that it was his act, and that he would justify it, and said
that it was the act of the whole corporation and done advisedly, and
that they would make it good, saying, that the building of that fort
cost the queen nothing, it being raised by the citizens, adding
the worst that could be done, was to make them rebuild it.
Several of them publicly abused the commissioners and the
king's officers in this province, calling them waiters, destroyers
of the city and commonwealth, base-born fellows, beggarly
companions, yeomen's sons, kc, all which was proved on their
respective trials. Lieutenant Murrough had the impudence to
send Sir Charles Wilmotword, that he was a traitor, and that he
would prove it. The above interesting details are from a manu-
script of lord Cork's, first published by Dr. Smith.
^j}ril 18 — The lord lieutenant received from the commission-
ers an account of the conduct of the citizens, who every day
grew more rebellious. They burned all the bibles and prayer
books they could find, and introduced the lloman Catholic form
of worship into the churches, at the doors of which they posted
centinels. The mayor and recorder were present at a sermon
preached by John Fitz-David Roche, in which he said that
James was not the lawful king of England, ntir could be so until
consecrated by the pope, and consequently no obedience was due
to him. When Sir Charles Wilmot and the army came to Cork
to quell their insolent proceedings, they refused to let him into
the city with more than six soldiers, and forbade him to lodge ia
the suburbs, and they told the commissioners, that if they did
not draw ofl' the army they should have no provisions nor
ammunition out of the stores. And when to prevent contention,
76 CORK REMEMBRANCER,
A;^D. the army marched to Youghal, upon condition that the king's
stores should be sent them by sea, they miloadecl the vessel that
were to have brought them, and seized upon two lasts of the powder
on pretence of keeping it for the freight, although they had received
an exorbitant sum for that service. On Easter clay a letter was
delivered to the citizens from the lord lieutenant, informing
them that the lord president's patent and those of the commis-
sioners were renewed ; but they refused to acknowledge any other
than the mayor's authority, who compared himself to the Doge
of Venice, and appointed Gold and Terry captains over two
companies, consisting of 100 men each, to whom one shilling
per diem was paid, and who were billeted upon the citizens.
They suffered no person to go to mass but such as swore to
maintain their religion. They took several proclaimed traitors
into pay, and offered anns to all such as would come into the city
and enlist themselves in their cause. They fired with the king's
artillery upon Shandon castle, where the lady Carew then lay,
they also shot at the bishop's palace in which the commissioners
were assembled. Near this last place they killed a reverend
and aged divine one Mr. Rutclidge, who walking alone was
made a special mark by the rebels to shoot at. They turned out
all such English inhabitants as would not join them, and
pillaged their houses. They wounded a servant of the bishop,
and told him if they had the traitor his master in their power he
should not escape death. The commissioners, finding no good
was to be done by treaty, sent to Haulbowline for artillery, but
the citizens having notice of their design, manned some boats
under the command of William Terry to take that fort, or, if
possible, to intercept the artillery; and in this attempt on the fort
there were several killed on both sides ; but the guns came safe
to the commissioners' camp, which so terrified them, that they
agreed to a cessation till the arrival of the lord lieutenant who
was then upon his march towards the city, having previously
written a second letter, reproving them for setting up the mass
i)y their own authority, for their insolence in stopping hia
majesty's stores and artillery from being sent to Haulbowline,
and attempting to get them into their hands. At the same time
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 77
his lordship wrote to Sir Charles Wilmot and Sir Georoe Thorn- A. D.
, . , T ,.,,.. 1GU3
ton, ordernig them to send as much victuals and provisions as
they could out of the city to that fort and Shandon castle and to
draw some companies into the town ; and informed them that
he had assembled 5000 men to correct their insolence, and
that as most of the other towns in the province had committed
the like disturbances, he intended to begin with Waterford wliich
led the example to the rest. In another letter to Sir Charles
Wilmot he directed him to place garrisons in the fort near
Kinsale gate, and to intrench with the rest of his foot near
Shandon castle. After tbis the citizens wrote an excuse to the
lord deputy for stopping the stores designed for Ilaulbowline,
pretending that the commissioners had a design to starve the
city, and that they had endeavoured to make the mixt money
current among them, entreating his lordship at the same time
to persuade his majesty to alter the same, and excusing their
conduct respecting religion. The lord deputy wrote a third
time to the mayor from his camp at Grace Dieu near Waterford,
requesting him to desist from his practices. The same day his
lordship understood by letters from the mayor that the citizens
and the king's forces had proceeded to acts of hostility, some
being killed on both sides, craving relief from his lordship, and
alleging that their conduct towards the commissioners was in
consequence of a private quarrel with one of them who was
their enemy and sought their ruin.
Maij 10 — The citizens this night were divided in opinion
whether to admit the lord lieutenant or not. Mead the recorder
strongly opposed iiis entrance, and drawing together the Meads,
Golds, Captain Terry, Lieutenant Murrough, Fagan, and an
infinite number of mob, would have withstood his lordship's
entrance had not alderman John Coppinger, alderman Walter
Coppinger, alderman Terry, the Galways, Verdons and IMartels,
opposed their designs.
11 — The lord lieutenant marched into the city with all his
forces, wlien the citizens set plowshares on each side of the street,
intimating thereby that the oppression of the soldiers had
occasioned so many ploughs to be idle, which was the cause of
8 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. I), their revolt. The lorJ heutenant took Httle notice of this silly
contrivance : he was however resolved to extend mercy to the
generality of them, and only to make examples of some few of
the ringleaders. Murrough, Owen Mac Redmond, and one
Butler, were executed by martial law, having no freehold, but
the recorder was tried by an Irish jury and acquitted, though
there was full and undeniable evidence against him ; but the
foreman was fined £200, and the rest of the jury in proportion.
Mead, being released, became a pensioner to the king of Spain,
and died at Naples. The chief plea of the citizens was the
difficulty they underwent in being obliged to take the mixt
money issued by queen Elizabeth.
The lord lieutenant having left a garrison in the city proceeded
to Limerick, then also in rebellion, from which place he wrote
to the citizens of Cork, that they should assist in rehuilding the
fort at south gate.
1604 The abbeys of Buttcvant, Kilcrea, and Timoleague, were
repaired this year.
Sir Richard Boyle, in consideration of £1000 paid to the king,
obtained a patent for all Sir Walter Raleigh's lands in Ireland,
in which the college of Youghal is particularly mentioned.
1605 The city of Cork and its liberties were separated from the
county of Cork, and made a distinct county. The same year the
corporations of Bandon, Clonakilty, Sec, began to settle their
future form of government.
1C06 Lord Kinsale obtained letters of leave and recommendation to
the king from the lords justices and council, informing his
majesty, among other particulars, of his loyalty to the crown, in
the service at Kinsale; upon which the king granted him an
annual pension of £133 6s. 8d.
16()7 Towards the end of this year and during the commencement
of the next, there was a dreadful pestilence in the city of Cork,
which by degrees ceased of itself
IQQg King James, by his charter, dated at Westminster, Jan. 20,
in the sixth year of his reign, confirmed all the privileges of the cor-
poration of Youghal, (subsidy and poundage excepted,) and incor-
porated tlicm by the name of the mayor, bailifis and commonalty of
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 79
Youcirhal. He also granted to the mavor the office of admiral, and A. D,
its perquisites from Ardmore head and Cable island up to
Tooreen, as also the custom of murage, cranage, keyage and
anchorage of all goods imported and exported. By same charter
the mayor, bailiffs, kc. were to be exempted from all juries held
out of the town, unless the suit concerned the king : all causes
were to be tried by the townsmen ; all lands, &c. anciently
belonging to the corporation were confirmed ; two weekly
mai'kets, viz. on Wednesday and Saturday, with two annual fairs
on St. Luke's and Ascension day were granted to the corporation,
with courts of pye powder, &:c. power to have a staple, and a
mayor and constables of the same, as the city of Dublin had.
The mayor was empowered to appoint an alderman for his deputy:
all waifs, strays, goods of felons, &.c. were granted to the
corporation. The mayor, recorder and bailiffs were to be justices
of the peace, and to hold sessions of gaol delivery, &:c. for the
town. The mayor was to be coroner, saymaster, and feodary.
All perquisites arising therefrom were to be for the use of the
corporation. The mayor and recorder were to be justices of the
peace in the county of Cork ; and the mayor to be of the quorum.
The mayor was to appoint clerks of the market, a clerk of assize,
and a clerk of the assay, and no other person was to intermeddle.
He was to appoint a sword bearer, and was to have a sword carried
before him. All ships were to load and unload at the quay and
no where else, unless by the mayor's license. A court of record
was to be held every Friday by the mayor, recorder and bailiffs,
or the deputy; as also every Tuesday, to take cognizance of all
actions real and personal. The corporation was given power to
divide themselves into several guilds and fraternities. James H,
also incorporated Youghal by a new charter, dated April 18th
1688, which appointed Thomas Ronayne, mayor, William Fitz-
gerald and Thomas Vaughan jun. bailiffs, with 19 aldermen, 21
burgesses, a recorder and a town clerk. But this charter was of
no force.
Cork, Youghal, and Kinsale, with several other towns in i609
TMunster, obtained new charters from his majesty with a further
augmentation of their privileges. Cork then became a town
80 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. corporate, the sheriffs being formerly called bailiffs. The bishop's
episcopal palace in Cork was rc-cdified by bishop Lyon, and cost
him £1000.
1Q]Q The customs of Ireland were at this time very small. In the
city of Cork they only amomi ted in seven years to £225 lis. 7d;
in Youghal to £70, and in Ivinsale to £18 2s. 3d.
Nov. — Lord Davers was made lord president of Munster in
the room of Sir Henry Becher, deceased.
IGll Sir Richard Morrison, vice-president of ]\Iunster, midcr Sir
Oliver St. John, lord president, reviewed the forces of this
province, and amongst others, the English planters settled in it
by the gentlemen who were undertakers.
1612 -^ considerable part of the city of Cork was burnt down by an
accidental fire.
The following establishment, besides the lord president's
allowance, was made for this province. The earl of Cork, as
governor of Loughfoil during his life, by letters patent £365 per
annum. The provost marshal of Munster £102 13s. Id. sterling
per annum. The late earl of Desmond's three sisters had each
£50 per annum. The constable of Haulbowline Is. 2d. per day.
Two commissioners 3s. 4d. each per day.
The East India company made a settlement at the castle of
Dundaneere for carrying on iron works and building large ships,
for which use they purchased the woods and lands adjoining for
£7000. They kept a garrison in the castle. In the following
year two ships of 500 tons were launched, and a dock was erected
for building others. This castle, which is situated near the
confluence of the Brinny and Bandon rivers, was built by Barry-
Oge.
1613 King James, I, in a letter to Sir Arthur Chichester, proposed
that Cork should be divided into two counties ; but the project
was opposed by the first earl of Cork.
1615 Donough O'Brien, carl ofThomond, was made lord president
of Munster.
1G16 Sir Richard Boyle, first earl of Cork, was created baron Boyle
of Youghal. It was in this town that the first potatoes were
landed in Ireland, by Sir Walter Raleigh. The person who
CORK REMEMRRANCER. 81
planted ihem, imngining thai the apples which grow on the stall;s ■'^:^-
were the parts to he used, gathered them ; hut not liking their taste,
neglected the roots, till the groiuid being dug afterwards to grow
some other grain, the potatoes were discovered, and, to the great
surprize of the planter, were vastly increased. From these few
this country was furnished with seed. It is said that Sir Walter
brought them with tobacco into Ireland from Virginia.
Aug. 9 — Sir Walter Raleigh sailed from the Harbour of 1617
Cork, on his last unfortunate expedition to the West Indies.
J\tov. 7 — William Gold, who was the foregoing year mayor of 1G18
Cork, delivered up in open court to his successor, four charters,
viz: — those of Edward IV, Henry VIII, queen Elizabeth, and
the charter of king James I ; as also one Quietus of the Exchequer
for the fee-farm rent of the city.
Richard Boyle, bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, this year 1G20
repaired more ruinous churches, and consecrated more new ones
than any other bishop in his time.
A dreadful fire happened in Cork, which consumed the greatest ,q29
part of the city.
The Capuchins first came into Ireland. \^i?,
The shoe-makers received a new charter from king James I.
The August assizes for the county at large were held at Ban-
don, by the interest of the carl of Cork.
Richard, earl of Cork, was this year admitted and sworn a jg24
freeman of this city.
Sept. 5 — The lord president died, and on the 7di, lord Falk-
land issued a commission to the earl of Thomond, the earl of
Desmond, the earl of Cork, lord Esmond, or any two of them,
for the better government of this province, during the vacancy
of the presidentship.
May 27 — Sir Edward Villiers was appointed lord president of
Munster. During his government, the French and Spaniards
gave out, that in revenge for the expedition to Rochelle, they
would make a descent in Ireland. The forts of Cork and Water-
ford having been quite neglected, the earl of Cork lent £oOO t(j
the lord president Villiers, with which these forts were made
defensible. ^Mien lord Wimbleton arrived at Kinsale with the
82 CORK REMEMBRANCEK.
A. D. king's forces, lord Cork took ten companies of foot, many of
them being weak and wounded, and lodged and dieted them near
three months upon his tenants. He supplied the general with
£500, and entertained him and all his officers nobly at Lismore.
Christ Church in Bandon was built. The oldest grave stone
in this church is dated 1629, over a Mr. Crofts, one of the first
burgesses of this corporation.
1627 The several corporations of Ireland sent over agents to petition
the king to free them fi'om the charge of maintaining the new
army which had been raised, and that some course might be taken
for the repayment of such sums, as had already been levied on
them ; upon which the king granted them several new privileges
and exemptions.
Sir Wm. St. Leger was appointed lord president of Munster.
Sir Dominick Sarsfield was created lord viscount Kinsale, and
setup his arms in the town, to the great prejudice of the family
which derived their title from that place, but upon a fair hearing
before the earl marshal of England, he was obliged to renounce
the title of Kinsale, and take that of Kilmallock.
1G29 'pi^ig ypgj. viscomitLoftus of Ely, lord chancellor of Ireland, and
Richard earl of Cork, were sworn lords justices on the 26th October
in consequence of lord Falkland's departure for England.
This year an unusual appearance happened at Cork, although
the sun shone out very brightly, the sky was darkened
on a sudden by an infinite multitude of stairs, which seemed like
a black dense cloud to hang over the city. When they had
passed the town, they were observed by the citizens to fight
furiously for several hours with a great noise, picking and
wounding each other with their bills, whereby great numbers of
them fell down to the earth and were slain ; many of them were
taken up by the citizens and country people.
1G30 The king directed the lords justices to release the Spanish
prisoners that were confined at Kinsale and other places, to
admonish them of the vanity and boldness of their attempt, and
of the state's resolution to punish them severely if they should
ever come again on the same design. Transport ships were
assigned them by government, to land them in any part of the
Spanish dominions.
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
83
Tlie western coasts of this county were infosted by a clangerons A. D.
pirate named Nut, who not only robbed on the seas, but also
made several descents on the coast. In a letter from the lord
president St. Leger to the government, he informs them that
Nut had three ships under his command, his own being a twenty
gun ship of 300 tons burthen ; a ship which he took belonging
to St. Maloes of IGO tons, was his vice-admiral's, and the third
which he had taken, belonged to Dieppe and moimted fifteen guns.
At the same time that this letter was written, viz., in May, Nut
victualled and watered his fleet at Crookhaven, where he also
took his wife on board. Soon after the government sent him
a pardon, which he at first refused, but in a little time accepted.
Jime 20 — The Turks plundered Baltimore and carried away
several families captive.
The army was sent to guard the south-west coasts of IMunster, 1G32
and beacons were erected on most of the conspicuous places, to
alarm the coimtry in case the Turks should attempt to land, as
they had done the last year, and as they threatened to do again.
Jitne 3 — The lord deputy Wentworth sent an ingot of silver
of 300 ounces to the king, being the first fruit of his majesty's
mines in Munster.
There was this winter a prodigious flood in the river Lee, 1033
which, among other damages done to the city of Cork, carried
away both the north and south bridges, and the castle erected
thereon.
This year Sir Roger Coppinger, mayor of Cork, carried away 1G34
the city charter, and also the sword and mace.
^uff. 15 — By an order of council, the mayor elect was either
to give up the butt of sack, as formerly given him by the
corporation for his entertainment in lieu of twenty nobles, or
pay the chamberlain £20 at his election.
King Charles wrote to the government of Ireland, to issue out JQ35
a proclamation to preserve the eyries of hawks in this kingdom.
Sept. 13— The earl of Straflford, in a letter to Mr. Secretary 153(3
Cook of this date says, " The Turks still annoy this coast, they
came of late into Cork Harbour, took a boat which had 8 fisher-
men in her, and gave chase to two more, who sa^•ed themselves
84 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. anions; the rocks, the townsmen lookin<:r on at the same time,
1G3G . ° ' . , '^
without means or power to assist them.
1G38 Wilham Chappcl was consecrated lord bishop of Cork &c.
He had been a most subtle disputant, of which Dr. Borlace tells
the following story. "That at a commencement at Cambridge
in the presence of James the I, he so warmly opposed the re-
spondent Dr. Roberts, that unable to solve his argxmients, he
fell into a swoon in the pulpit; whereupon the king undertook to
maintain the thesis, against whom Mr. Chappel so well prosecuted
his argument, that his majesty openly gave God thanks, that the
opponent was his subject, and not the subject of any other
prince. Alluding to this passage, the titular dean of Cork
long afterwards refused to enter into a dispute with him, although
he was pressed to it by the lord president St. Leger, alleging
that it had been a custom with him to kill his respondent.
Monkstown castle was built this year by the family of
Archdeacon.
An order of council was passed for making a new wooden
bridge at the north end of the city of Cork.
1G39 Letters patent were granted by Charles I, to the earl of Strafford
and Christopher Wandesford, that no person should sell tobacco
in this kingdom, but such as should be licensed by the patentees,
or those authorized by them. This patent they farmed to
particular persons, who settled a great magazine for tobacco at
Kinsale, that place having then more of that commodity brought
into it than one-half of the kingdom besides.
Lord Dungarvan, eldest son of the earl of Cork, attended his
majesty, then about to go in person to York, to suppress or pacify
the Scots, and raised 100 horse at his own charge.
1G41 The Irish rebellion broke out, during which there were some-
times five different parties in Ireland, — 1st, the royalists, headed
by the earl of Ormond. 2d — the parliamentarians, headed by
different persons in divers parts of the kingdom. 3d — A party
of Scots, or Covenanters in the north, for the most part headed
by the lord of Ardes, &c. 4th — The party of the supreme
council, with Preston and others at their head ; and lastly, the
Nuncio's party led by Owen Roe and others. The first act of
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 85
hostility comniittcd ill Minister was in the county of Tipperary, A.D.
on the 20th of November.
Jan — The lord president, having summoned 1-500 men, most of ^^^^
them raw and inexperienced, posted himself at Eallyhowra moun-
tain, to oppose the rebels, havingunder him the earl of Barrymore,
son-in-law to the earl of Cork, with three of his lordship's sons,
the lords Dungarvan, Broghill, and Kinalmeaky, besides other
gentlemen. Soon after the state permitted him to raise a regi-
ment of foot, consisting of 1000 men, and two troops of horse,
60 in each troop. The president having resolved to give the
rebels battle, posted himself at Redshard, a pass from the county
Limerick into this county, at the eastern end of Ballyhowra moun-
tain. It is related by Morrice, in his life of Lord Orrery, that
while the president and his forces were waiting here, drawn up
in order of battle, a trumpeter from the Irish, accompanied by
one Walsh a lawyer, demanded a parley, and asked permission
to speak with the president; which being granted, they declared
they were no rebels, for they had the king's commission to assist
him, and forraising forces,which commission they produced on the
following morning, directed to lord Muskcrry to raise 4000 men,
with the broad seal annexed to it. Upon this all the lords with-
drew to their several homes; lord Broghill however declared that
he could not but think it a cheat, as it subsequently proved. The
president shortly afterwards disbanded his forces, until he should
receive his majesty's further orders, articles to that effect having
been agreed on between him and lord Moinitgarret, by which it
was also stipulated, that for the space of one month neither party
should molest the other; and not thinking it prudent to stay in
his own house at Doneraile he retreated to Cork. The Irish
next marched to Buttevant, and thence to IMallow, and took
Short castle. At Mallow there arose a contention between lord
Roche and others, who should be commander-in-chief. They at
length, however, pitched upon Garret Barry, and appointed lord
Muskerry and other great men to be of the council of war.
The castle of Poulnelong or Ship -pool, built by the Roches,
as appears from their arms over the chimney piece, was taken by
the Bandonians, whereby they gained a correspondence to and
from Kinsale. L
86 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. 12 — The government of Bandon was committed to lord Kinal-
1642
meaky, who took possession of it on this day. Before his arrival
the Irish had committed such outrages, and so distressed the
English in the west of this county, that they were all forced to fly
to Bandon for protection, it being then the only v/alled town in
those parts.
18 — The rebels came in a great body to assault Bandon, headed
by Mac CartyReigh,and madctheir approachesnear the town wall.
Lord Kinalmeaky sallied out with 200 foot and 60 horse and
charged them; upon which a severe conflict ensued. The Ban-
donian foot attacked them briskly in front, and the horse did the
same in the rear, and soon routed them.
Feb. 14 — The rebels took the castles of Dundeedy andDun-
owcn, not far from Bathbarry or Castlefreke.
15 — A party of lord Roche's men, joined by others, assailed
Mr. Clayton's Castle near Mallow, and employed ten masons to
make a breach in the wall, they having no battering cannon. The
ward consisted of only 24 men, who made so brave a defence, that
they killed 200 of the enemy and four masons. The Irish serjeant-
major set fire to a great barn near the castle, in order to smother
the ward ; but it turned out much to their advantage, for it being
in the night, the flame blazed so bright that the besieged did not
misplace a single shot; so that besides killing the above number,
they wounded 140 more. A breach being at length made, the
enemy entered it, overpowering the weak garrison, and putting
them all to the sword. The same night a cannon ball was fired
from this castle into Mr. Bettcsworth's house in Mallow, where
lord Roche and M'Donough were quailered. The ball passed
clear through the house almost over their heads, and killed one of
their men, which obliged them to shift their quarters.
Youghal was supplied by tlie earl of Cork, at his own expense,
with forces, to whom he gave constant pay.
Cork was blockaded in this month. General Barry and lord
Muskerry invested it on the south side, and it was expected lord
Roche and others would act similarly on the north side; to prevent
which, the lord president, who was then shut up in the city, sent
the earl of Inchiquin and colonel Jephson, with two troops, which
CORK UEMEMl^nATsCER. 87
had lately arrived from England, into Orrerj' and lloche's coun- A. D.
try, where they had tlic good fortune, on the 27th, to relieve the
Castle of Rathgogan, and to take Ballyhea, killing 200 of the
rebels.
27 — The Irisih planted three pieces of ordnance on the side of
the river opposite the town of Youghal, to block up the harbour;
notwithstanding which Sir Charles Vavasor and his regiment
ai-rived safe in that port on this day.
March 2 — All Condons country was burned by the lord
president's forces.
^^jjril 13 — Lord iNIaskerry, who had encamped at Rochfort's-
town, within three miles of Cork, caused a party of his army to
chase the English scouts into the very suburbs, after which in a
bravado they made a stand ; whereupon lord Inchiquin and
colonel Vavasor, (who was also at this time in the city, having
been ordered thither to reinforce the president who was in a very
ill state of health) and other officers, sallied out with three
hundi-ed foot and two troops of horse, and pursued the enemy
to the camp, chased them three miles, routed the whole army,
and retired without the loss of a man, laden with plunder. In
this same month the garrison of Bandon took the castle of
Downdaniel, and killed 100 rebels at the castle of Poulnalong,
which surrendered to captain Adderly.
Jlay — In this month the castles ofCariganass, Ballymacpatrick
or Carey's-ville, Ballincolly, Kilbritton, and Colcmain were
taken from the rebels.
J?(l>/ — The lord Broghill beat the rebels at Cappoquin, which
w^as the first pitched battle fought m Munster since the rebellion
began.
2 — The lord president St. Legcrdied at his house in Doneraile,
and on the following day the earl of Cork acquainted the lords
justices by letters of his death ; whereupon they appointed the
lords Barrymore and Inchiquin commissioners for the govermnent
of the province; the latter to command the army.
jlugust — Liscarrol castle was attacked by the rebels, and
surrendered upon honorable terms on Friday the 2d of September,
after an obstinate resistance. On the following day lord
88 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. luchuiuin ens;af^od the rebels in a field to the west of the castl(%
1642 1 c^ o i
and completely routed them, 700 of the Irish were slain, while
iord Inchiquin had but 12 men killed and about 20 wounded;
amongst the former was lord Kinalmeaky, which was the greatest
loss the English sustained in the battle. Upon his death Sir
Charles Vavasor was made governor of Bandon, and soon after
colonel Rowland St. Leger.
Lord Forbes with his regiment landed at Kinsale, and marched
to Bandon, where having obtained rehiforeemeuts, he marched
westward, and on the 18th of October arrived at Clonakilty.
Here he left one Bandon and two Scotch companies to secure
that town till his return from Rathbariy; but shortly after he
had quitted the town, they were attacked by the Irish; whereupon
Robert Grove, captain of the Bandon company advised a retreat
about four miles to the main body, which the Scotch troops who
were with them refusing, they were cut to })ieces; but Grove made
good his retreat to an old Danish fort in the way to Ross, which
he defended until the rest of the forces came to his relief. Being
thus reinforced the whole body fell upon the Irish, and forced
them into the island of Inchidony, where the tide being in,
upwards of 600 were drowned. Upon their return to Clonakilty
they found a great nmuber of men, women and children imprison-
ed in the market place, in order to be burned by the Irish, as a
bonfire for joy at their ex}X3cted success.
Every day afforded fresh instances of the ill-faith and treachery
of the Irish. The garrisons of the castles of Cloghleigh and Coole,
who had surrendered upon a promise of c[uarter and safe convoy,
were murdered or kept prisoners. Towards the end of this year
lord Broghill and captain Jephson were added to lord Inchiquin
as commissioners for the government of Munster by the lords
justices, and were to have command in the army.
J\rov. — Lord Inchiquin being at Cork in great distress for
want of pay for the army, called a coimcil of war, which came to
a resolution to seize on part of the tobacco, of which there were
great quantities belonging to the patentees, at Cork, Kinsale, and
Youghal, and sell it to subsist the army.
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
89
Feh. 20 — The want of supplies still continuing, lord Incliiquin A. D.
was obliged to drive into Cork, Kinsale, and Youghal, all the
cattle which were left in the baronies of Imokiliy and Barrymore ;
which left the country in a deplorable condition, and shortly after
obliged the markets in the different towns in this county to be
closed.
March 27 — Murrongh, lord Inchifjuin, and Andrew, lord baron
of Castle-Stewart, were sworn freemen of this city, and admitted
into the council thereof.
May — Offensive measures were resmned by lord Inchi(|uin,
nothing having been done during the last two months in conse-
quence of the scarcity of provisions and other necessaries.
Ju72e 3 — Sir Charles Vavasor took Clonleigh castle in Condon's
country; but on the following day was defeated in a narrow
defde leading to Fermoy, and lost all his colours. Elated with
this success, the rebels beseiged Cappoquin, but were repulsed
with much loss.
July 1 — Colonel M>ni beat the Irish on the north side of
Timoleague river, and took the castles of Timoleague, Aghamilly,.
Rosscarbery, and Rathbarry.
Sept. 15 — A cessation of arms was agreed on between the
marquis of Ormond on the king's side, and lord Muskerry on the
part of the Irish, to continue for one year. The night before
this truce was concluded, the Irish took up arms in the baronies
of Imokiliy and Barrymore, killed all the English they could
meet with, and plundered the coimtry. About this tim:e also the
carl of Cork died at Youghal.
M. De la Boullaye le Gouz, a Frenchman, who travelled in IGll
Ireland in this year, in a work published at Paris in 1653 and
translated by Mr. Crofton Croker in 1837, gives tlie following
account of his visit to Cork. Having related how he became ac-
quainted with an inhabitant of that city, in Dublin, named Tarn
Neuel, and how he had travelled in company with him, he thus
proceeds, "Having arrived atKorq, Tam Neuc^l, of whom I have
before spoken, led me to his father's house. lie knocked at the
door, when a well-looking man appeared, and demanded what we
wanted. Tarn Neuel desired to know whether John Neuel was
90 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
■A^-D. at home. The man replied, that he knew no sueh person. —
Neuel insisting that the house belonged to the person for whoiii
he had asked, was told, that it belonged to an English captain,
who had it on the seclusion of the catholics from the town. He
was sni-jDrised to find events so deplorable had occurred to his
family. I sympathised with him, and observed, "since things
were thus we must seek a lodging, as the night was coming on."
O "Mister Frenchman," he said, "you cannot without injustice
refuse to repair to the house, if not of my father, at least of some
other relation. I have uncles in the town, where we shall be
welcome."' We found out one of them, and by him were received
with all imaginable kindness, and Neuel learned that his father
had lost in the religious wars more than £10,000 sterling, and
had been obliged to fly to the country, to avoid the tyranny of
the English protestants. I remained eight days in this house in
the midst of continual festivity ; and on taking leave to pursue
my travels, they thanked me for the assistance I rendered to Tarn
Neuel, and in spite of all I could do, repaid me the money I had
furnished for his expenses from Limerick. The same writer
thus continues. "A mile from Korq is a well called by the
English Sunday spring, or the fountain of Sunday, which the
Irish believe is blessed and cures many ills. I found, the water
of it extremely cold. Opposite this well to the south of the sea,
are the iniins of a monastery founded by Saint Guillabe; there is
a cave which extends far under the ground, where they say, that
Saint Patrick resorted often for prayer. In one of the suburbs of
Korq there is an old tower ten or twelve feet in circumference,
and more than one hundred feet high, which they conscientiously
believe to have been built by Saint Baril without lime or stone,
to prove by this miracle his religion ; then it was lopped or half
destroyed by the same saint, who jumped from the top to the
bottom of it, and imprinted the mark of his foot on a flint
stone, where the old women go with great devotion to say their
prayers."
The articles of the treaty which had been entered into, were
broken by the Irish, who daily engaged in fresh j)lots. One
Friar Matthews and some others entered into a conspiracy to
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 91
betray the city oi Cork into tlic liauds of the Irish, for which A.D.
some who confessed the fact were executed. Coppiuger the
mayor combined with the rebels; but they hijudiciously opposing
the levies granted for supporting the English soldiers, he was
committed by lord Inchiquin before the plot could be put into
execution, and the Irish were at the same time turned out of the
city,* as also out of Kinsale and Youghal. The civil authority
ceased in Cork in consequence, and was not renewed till the year
1655, when Sir Wm. Penton, Maurice Roche, Christopher Oliver,
John Morley, and John Hodder, who were ancient freemen,
elected said Hodder to be mayor. For these services lord
Inchiquin was appointed lord president of Munster by the
English parliament ; but not having obtained any supplies, he
was obliged to agree to a temporary cessation of hostilities, which
continued till the following spring, when the war was renewed by
the earl of Castlehaven,
*The particulars of the exclusion of the Roman Catholic party from Cork
by lord Inchiquin, are thus related in a rare tract, enlitled, "A plot discovered
in Ireland, and prevented without the shedding of blood." London, printed
by Jane Coe, 1G44.
"I know you have heard how my lord of Inchiquin had put the Irish out of
Cork in July last, and not without much cause, for there was a most horrid,
damnable and bloody plot of conspiracy, invented and practised by the popish
priests and blood-thirsty Jesuites, and the same of a sudden to be put in
execution by the townsmen of Cork that were confederates with that bloody
and arch-rebel the lord of Muskerry, who had prepared an army in his coun-
try near Cork, to be in readiness at an hours warning, after he had intelligence
from the popish priests and others of that faction, to approach towards Cork
with his army of rebels, who should have been let into the town in the night,
and for that purpose they had agreed among themselves, to have such towns-
men that night to be in the watch, and in the court of guard, as should be in
readiness to seize upon the magazine, arms, ordnance, powderi-and shot, at an
instant when the word should have been given, and the rest of their confeder-
ates to be likewise ready to let in the rebels at the gate, and so in the dead
time of the night to enter into every Englishman's house, with swords, skcnes,
and pistols, with full resolution to massacre, murder and kill, man, woman and
child, for which horrible murders their holy fathers the priests had given to
each one that did undertake this bloody design a free pardon and dispensation,
and it pleased God that, in the interim, that this execrable plot of treason was
discovered, the priests, that were the chief contrivers of this most damnable
plot were taken, and at the time of their execution confessed tlicir mischievous
92 CORK REMEMlillANCER.
A.D. Sir Philip Perceval suffered severely from the eighth article of
the last mentioned treaty, which left £2000 per annum of his
estate in possession of the Irish, who concealing themselves in.
bushes and bogs, the day the cessation took place, proceeded to
take the profits of tlie lands. About the same time tliey surprised
the castles of Ballinguile, Ballinegragh, Templeconila, Ballyma-
cow, Lisgriffm, and Bragoge, all belonging to Sir Philip, and
entered upon the large fertile tract of country adjacent to them.
They endeavoured also to gain the castle of Liscarrol which had
been restoi'ed to Sir Philip when the Irish were defeated there ;
but were repulsed by the constable Raymond.
intentions, which extended to the utter extirpation of all the English protestanis
in Muuster, if God had not in his infinite goodness and mercy prevented it."
"For the rest of the townsmen, that had engaged themselves in this inhuman
conspiracy, they were so many in number, and being at least six to one of our
English, they could not so well betaken, or apprehended, without greaidanger
and much effusion of blood on both sides. But the governor of Cork, and the
rest of the chief commanders, for the better prevention of so great a danger,
devised a remarkable counter-plot (for the taking and apprehending the town's
conspirators rather by policy than by violence), and for that piu'pose caused
captain Muschamp, governor of the great fort without the south gate of Cork,
to fain and counterfeit himself to be in drink, and so as it were in a merry
humour, invite himself to Master Major (mayor) his house to dinner; and
accordingly he dined there, and after the Irish fashion was kindly entertained,
and divers cups passed round of sack, claret, and usquebaugh, in friendly
manner to welcome him, and make him to be the more merrily disposed."
"And sitting at dinner, they discoursed of divers matters concerning the
present distractions of these times, and divers i)ropositions wci'c made, and
every one gave their opinions according to their own apprehensions; and
amongst other discourses, captam Muschamp, seeming to be in a merry humour
did speak these or such like words."
"Well, Master Major, if that it should please God that the parliament in
England should have the best of it in this war, and that the parliament ships
were in the harbour of Cork, if you and the rest would not take the covenant
to be true to the king and parliament ; I protest I would, with the great
ordinance in the fort, beat down all the houses in Cork about your ears."
"With that the Major and the rest of the company ruse up in a great fury,
and said that he had spoken treason and he should answer it, and so they
brought him before the governor, and repeated the words he had spoken;
desiring that he might be proceeded against according to law, in such cases
provided. Whereupon the governor gave many thanks to IMaster Major in
shewing himself so good a subject, in discovering such a treason as that was,
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 93
March — Sir Pliilip Perceval, after repeated applications, was A.D.
at length restored to his lands and castles by the supreme council
at the persuasion of lord IMuskery, who had a private esteem for
Sir Philip.
Maij 20 — The government issued a proclamation to free from
customs and impositions for six months, all goods and commodi-
ties that should be imported for the relief of the army into
Dublin, Drogheda, Carlingford, Dundalk, Cork, Youghal, or
Kinsale.
Doctor Boyle, archbishop of Tuam, died this year and was
buried in the cathedral at Cork, under a monument which he had
erected for himself, while he was bishoj) of this see.
sa) ing it was time to look about us, when we shall have the chief officers that
are put in trust with matters of such concernmeut, as he was, being governor
of the king's fort, should speak such treasonable words, 'and therefore, Master
Major, you shall have my best assistance, and such punishment shall be
inflicted upon him as martial law will permit."
"So the Major for the present departed, and a martial court was called,
and the council of war met aiid sat upon his trial, the business examined,
the witnesses produced, the words were proved against him, and being found
guilty, was condemned by the council of war for treason, had his sentence
given to be hanged the next day. And at the time appointed the sheriffs,
and the greatest part of the city came to see the execution, and the prisoner
was brought out of the city well guarded, with a considerable company of
musqueteers; and when they perceived that the chiefest and most dangerous
men of the city were come out of the gates, the word was given, and the
prisoner, captain Muschamp, being set at liberty, did command his officers to
lay hold on all the chiefest of the citizens, and carry them prisoners to the
fort, whereof he w-as captain and governor, and as soon as they were taken, so
the chiefest aldermen and others in the city were taken, and kept prisoners
as hostages to secure the English as well within, as without the gates, which
were at that instant shut up, and the draw-bridge taken up, so that none
could come in, nor go out, till all matters were pacified."
"And in the mean time there was a proclamation made, that if the Irish
resisted the English, the soldiers should shoot them, and if any English were
killed in that broil, the chiefest of their city should be hanged over their
walls; which proclamation did so terrify the Irish, that they were all glad to
be quiet, and so there was no great hurt done, which was much to be admired,
that a matter of so dangerous a consequence should be etfected without any
further trouble, and the projectors thereof highly to be commended in devi-
sing such a stratagem of mercy, in time of such troubles and rebellion, to
prevent the shedding of guiltless blood,"
94 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. In this same year, the ancient natives and inhabitants of this
1644 . .
city deposited the sword, mace, and cap of maintainance, with the
lord lieutenant, and continued faithful in their allegiance to the
king.
1G45 The earl of Castlehaven, at the head of 5000 foot and 1000
horse, took most of the strongholds in this country, as Cappoquin,
Mitcheistown, Ballyhooly, &c. lord Inchiquin being obliged to
stand upon the defensive ; which success had such an effect, that
Liscarrol castle surrendered to the rebels without a shot having
been fired, though at that time in a good posture for defence.
The castles of Annagh, Walshetown and Templeconila were also
taken. After this, lord Castlehaven took Mallow, Doneraile, and
Milltown, which last castle, with that of Connagh, was stormed.
May — Lord Inchiquin, being still left without supplies by the
parliament, was obliged to take the field with 1000 horse and
1500 foot; with the latter he laid siege to Ballymartyr, and put
Barrymorc and Imokilly under contributions. Loixl Broghill
posted himself at Castlelyons, and by his judicious conduct,
gained a noble victory on the lOtli of this month. Ballymartyr
and Eostellan castles soon surrendered; but lord Castlehaven
retook the latter, and made prisoners of colonel Henry O'Brien,
■brother to lord Inchiquin, and colonel Courtney, who had been
sent to demolish it. After this, a party of lord Castlehaven's
men having gone into the Great island to plunder, major Power,
with 30 horse and two foot companies, slew 500 of them.
However, lord Castlehaven afterwards took Conough castle,
castle Lyons and Lismorc; which last place was bravely defended
by the same Power with 100 English tenants of lord Cork, who
slaughtered 500 of the Irish : but their powder being at length
all spent they surrendered upon honorable terms. After this,
Castlehaven besieged Youghal, but was forced to raise the siege.
Oct. 22 — A nuncio from pope Urban VIII arrived in the
river Kenmare with amuumition, arms, and a retinue of ecclesias-
tics and Italians.
Towards the end of this year, lord Inchiquin sent a party to
besiege the castle of Bunratty^, which they performed, and found
there enough of horses to remount the cavalry.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 95
A treaty of peace was signed by the Irish, but immediately A. D.
afterwards broken at the instigation of the clergy and the nuncio,
who at the same time prepared for war, and borrowed hxrge sums
from tlie Spanish agent for that purpose.
In the begiimingof this year lord Uroghill took Blarney castlo.
Feb. — Lord Lisle, having been appointed president by the 1G4G
parliament, landed at Cork, and brought over £30,000, seven
pieces of large cannon, 1000 muskets, and 100 barrels of
gun-powder. Upon his arrival he found things in great disorder,
and several of the officers disaffected. In March he visited
Tallow, Fermoy, Lismore, and Youghal, and had Knockmone
in the county Waterford delivered to him. Upon his return to
Cork, having grown jealous of lord Inchiquin, he spent his time"
in fruitless endeavours to displace him, giving the command of
the province to lord Broghill.
Lord Lisle's commission having expired he returned to 1G47
England; at the same time lord Inchiquin was impeached by lord
Broghill and Sir Arthur Loftus ; but the impeachment came to
nothing.
Sept. 28 — Lord Inchiquin, having obtained reinforcements
from England, took the field, and on the 1 3th November engaged
the Irish army under the command of lord Taaf at Knockinass
to the west of Mallow, and completely routed them. The honor
of this victoiy was however tarnished by lord Inchiquin's refusing
quarter, and ordering several of the enemy to be put to the sword
in cold blood, amongst whom was the brave M'Allisdrum. On
the news of this victory, the parliament voted £10,000 for
Munster, and £1000 as a present to lord Inchiquin.
May — Lord Inchiquin made a truce with the Irish from this ^gjs
time until the November following, being resolved to declare for
the king on the next opportmiity. He wrote at the same time
to the marquis of Ormond, who had withdrawn to France,
inviting him to come over, and that he, the army, and all the
important towns in this province, were ready to submit to his
command. He also sent the English Roman Catholics 500
horse under major Doyley, to assist them in an expedition against
the Nuncio, and Owen Roe O'Neil ; lord Clanrickard and Taaf
96 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. having declared for his majesty and the peace ; and the Nuncio
for the Pope and war.
Upon lord Inchiquin's declaring for the king, the English
parliament voted him a rebel and traitor.
Se2:)t. 29 — The marquis of Ormond landed at Cork, where he
was respectfully received by lord Inchiquin and his officers. On
the 4th of October, he wrote to the supreme council, stating that
his majesty had commissioned him to treat of a peace, and
desired that commissioners might be sent to meet him at Carrick.
Oct. 6 — Lord Ormond published a declaration at Cork, setting
forth his intention to maintain the true Protestant interest, the
king's honor, just rights of parliament, and the liberty of the
subject. A copy of his letter to the supreme council fell into
the hands of Colonel Jones, who sent it to the committee at
Derby-house: being read in parliament, it was ordered to be
sent to the Isle of Wight, to the commissioners then in treaty
with the king, to know if he would avow it, and in case he
disowned it, to require him to declare against the marquis. —
Whereupon the king replied, that if matters were composed by
the treaty, the concerns of Ireland should be left to the parlia-
ment, and at the same time, desired Ormond to stop all further
proceedings for the present. Notwithstanding which, the treaty
went forward, and a peace was concluded between the commis-
sioners and the lord lieutenant at Carrick, and fully perfected at
Kilkenny, on the 1 7th of January, 1619. Owen O'Neil and the
earl of Antrim having refused to submit to this peace, the lord
lieutenant prepared to march against them ; but on the murder
of the king, he proclaimed Charles the II. first at Youghal, and
afterwards at Carrick, and soon after in all the other towns in
this province.
1G49 Oliver Cromwell, was appointed by the parliament, general
for Ireland.
Feb. 10 — Prince Rupert came into Kinsale harbour, with
sixteen ships, most of them light frigates. His design was to
prepare the way for king Charles II. to whom he sent word,
shortly after consulting with Ormond, to hasten to Ireland ; but
the news of the king's execution arriving soon after, prince
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 97
"Rupert proclaimed kino- Charles the 11. at Kinsale, and he and A.D.
I (' 1*)
all his officers went into mourning, and displayed black jacks,
ensigns, and pendants to all the fleet. His highness sent some
forces to the relief of Scilly, and a bill for oUOO pistoles to the
new king.
Admirals Blake and Deane were sent by the parliament to block
up the prince, which service they effectually performed.
The ])rince in person solicited Cork, Waterford, and other
ports for assistance, and intreated them to fit out some fire ships;
but being refused, he was resolved to let the winter storms drive
off the enemy, rather than attack them at so great a disadvantage;
besides, his men daily deserted him in great numbers. At length,
for want of stores and men, he was obliged to contract his
squadron to four frigates besides the flag-ships; — but even in this
condition, want stared him in the face, and had it not been for
the assistance of Robert South wadl, who furnished his fleet with
provisions, he could not have proceeded to sea with those few
ships. Being however thus supplied, he set sail, and happily
arrived at Lisbon.
King Charles, by his letter from the Hague, confirmed the
peace, and appointed lord Inchiquin president of the province.
In the mean time, Ormond drew all the forces he could muster
together, and marched towards Dublin.
Jidli — The marquis of Ormond, being informed that Cromwell
intended to land in Munster, sent lord Inchiquin with a stronr^
detachment of horse to protect it.
Aug. 14 — Oliver Cromwell landed at Dublin, with an army
of 9000 foot and 4000 horse. His first action was the taking of
Drogheda, after which he marched south. The chief places in
this county, as Youghal, Cork,* Bandon, Kinsale, and Mallow,
* Lady Fanshawe, the wife of an officer in the service of the king, addressing
her son, gives the following interesting account of her escape from the Red
Abbey. After describing an accident she met with by the fall of a stumbling
horse, she thus proceeds. " I was in my bed when Cork revolted. By chance
that day my husband was gone ou business to Kinsale : it was in the beginning
of November, 1650. At midnight I heard the great guns go off, and thereupon
I called up my family to rise, which I did as well as I could in that condi-
tion. Hearing lamentable shrieks of men, women, and children, I asked at
98 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. all by lord Broghill's interest, revolted to the parliament. —
Ludlow says, that Cromwell sent a party under lord Broghill, to
the assistance of the revolters, in case lord Inchiquin made any
disturbance; but that the latter was forced to fly into the county
Clare among his kindred. Ey the revolt of these places, Cromwell
gained excellent winter quarters in this county; Yonghal was
made the place of his own residence, from which he marched
out early in the spring towards the county Tij^perary. At
a window the cause ; tliey told me they were all Irish, stripped and wounded,
and turned out of the town, and that colonel Jefferies, with some others, had
possessed themselves of the town for Cromwell. Upon this, I immediately
wrote a letter to my husband, blessing God's providence that he was not
there with me, persuading him to patience and hope that I should get safely
out of the town, by God's assistance, and desired him to shift for himself,
for fear of a surprise, with promise that I would secure his papers.
So soon as I had finished my letter, I sent it by a faithful servant, who was
letdown the garden-wall of Red Abbey, and, sheltered by the darkness of the
night, he made his escape. I immediately packed up my husband's cabinet,
with all his writings, and near 1000^. in gold and silver, and all other things
both of clothes, linen, and household stuff that were portable, of value ; and
then, about three o'clock in the morning, by the light of a taper, and in that
pain I was in, I went into the market place, with only a man and maid, and
passing through an unruly tumult with their swords in their hands, searched
for their chief commander Jeifries, who, whilst he was loyal, had received
many civilities from your father. I told him it was necessary that upon that
change I should remove, and I desired his pass that would be obeyed, or else
I must remain there : I hoped he would not deny me that kindness. He
instantly wrote me a pass, both for myself, family, and goods, and said he
would never forget the respect he owed your father. With this, I came
through thousands of naked swords to Red Abbey, and hired the next neigh-
bour's cart, which carried all that I could remove ; and myself, sister, and
little girl Nan, with three maids and two men, set forth at five o'clock in
November, having but two horses amongst us all, which we rid on by turns.
In this sad condition I left Red Abbey, with as many goods as were worth
£100, which could not be removed, and so were plundered. We went ten
miles to Kinsale, in perpetual fear of being fetched back again; but, by
little and little, I thank God, we got safe to the garrison, where I found. your
father the most disconsolate man in the world, for fear of his family, which
he had no possibility to assist : but his joys exceeded to see me and his
darling daughter, and to hear the wonderful escape we, through the assistance
of God, has made."
A Cromwellian of the day describes the surprize of the governor of Cork,
at the taking of that city by the parliamentary forces, in the following strain of
CORK REMEMP,RA^'CER. 99
Clonmel bo met with a most vi2;orous resistance, from the sics:o A.D.
I r 1*1
of which jilace he wrote to lord Broghill, then in the west of this
county, informing him that he and his forces were in a very sad
condition ; that they had been twice beaten ; that his men were
very sickly in the disease of the comitry, that ho must of necessity
raise the sieg'e, and go off with disgrace and loss of men, if not
immediately relieved ; and therefore he conjures lord Broghill,
by all the tics of duty and friendship, to desist from all other
designs whatever, and come without any delay to his assistance.
Lord Broghill had defeated the enemy, and was putting the
country under contribution, and settling matters so as to prevent
mischief for the future, when he received this message, which
induced him immediately to despatch a messenger, to signify
to Cromwell that he had defeated the enemy, and would be
■with him in three days. Cromwell was transported with joy
at this news, and as soon as lord Broghill arrived in the camp,
the whole army cried out, a Broghill ! a Broghill ! and Cromwell
came, and embraced him in his arms, and highly applauded
his late exploit. A\^hen liis lordship joined Cromwell, he found
him in a most pitiful and almost desperate condition, his army
being sick, and in want of all things ; but he and his men
revived at lord Broghill's arrival, and having refreshed his
soldiers, they closely besieged Clonmel and took it, and afterwards
Waterford.
quaint luimour aul malicious triumph. "Sir Ro'ocrt Starling was governor
there, who little dreamed of losing his command, and yet found he had lost
it when he waked — one may truly say he was taken napping, but I must
acknowledge, to extenuate his misfortune, that he was divested of his govern-
ment in the dark, and consequently could not see to prevent it. Sure this
major-general lost his way into that olEce, and was as much surprized at his
having that employment, as we were to see him in it. His ignorance was so
great it passed for his religion, for never any that saw him draw up the army,
but concluded he relied on Providence for the victory, he made so little use
of the means for obtaining it. He has now done that, too, which he never did
to his regiment, I mean, exercised, and the word of command is, as you are !
that is, reduced to his primitive existence, which affords him tlie stoic's
motto, " Omnia mea mccum porto." Thi>i makes me that I believe he will
think those last eight years a dream, and that he he was never really waked
out of it but when these rude fellows at Cork, presumed to do it."
100 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. While Cromwell was in Clonmel, Ricliard Magner, of Castle
Magner went to pay his court to him, but being represented as
a very troublesome person, and one v.ho had been very active
in the rebellion, Cromwell sent him with a letter to colonel
Phaire, then governor of Cork, in which was an order to
execvite the bearer. Magner, who suspected foul play, had
scarce left Clonmel when he opened the letter, read the
contents, and sealing it up, instead of proceeding towards
Cork, turned off to Mallow, and delivered it to the officer who
commanded there, telling him Cromwell had ordered him to
carry it to colonel Piiaire. Tbis officer had often preyed upon
Magner's lands, for which he was resolved to be revenged. The
officer, suspecting no deceit, went with the letter, which greatly
amazed the governor of Cork, who knew him to be an honest
man ; he therefore immediately sent an express to Cromwell for
directions, who being extremely chagrined to be so served, sent
orders to let the officer have his liberty, and to apprehend
Magner, who took care to get out of his reach.
1650 The titular bishop of Ross collected forces in the west of the
country to relieve Clonmel, then besieged by Cromwell, but was
defeated and made prisoner at Macroom en the 10th of May by
Lord Broghill, who had joined Cromwell a short time before. —
Broghill, however, offered him a pardon if he would make the
castle of Macroom surrender, which he promised; but when he
came there, he advised them to hold out to the last, for which
he was immediately hanged. The castle soon afterwards sur-
rendered.
Jlfaf/ 29 — Cromwell having returned from Clonmel to Youghal,
embarked for England, leaving his son-in-law Ireton, the lord
president of Munster, to command the army.
Dec. — The marquis of Ormond and lord Inchiquin quitted the
kingdom, and went into France.
During this year and the following season, the plague raged
violently in the kingdom.
The castle and town of Macroom were burnt by a party of
Ii'eton's forces.
1651 High courts of justice were held in this county, for the trial of
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 101
such as were concerned in i\\2 Irish massacre; but so many of A.D.
1651
them were destroyed hy the sword and pestilence, that not more
than 200 suffered by the hands of the executioner.
Alaf/ 12 — The garrison of Rosscarbery surrendered to the ig52
parliamentary forces, after which, there was quietness for some
time in the country.
Colonel Phaire, governor of Cork, and Colonel Saunders, 1G54
governor of Kinsale, declared for the parliament, against the
army.
Several of the Irish were transplanted into Connaught; amongst iGj5
the rest, lord Kinsale M'^as ordered to retire from this province ;
but he, having obtained several certificates of his good and
peaceable behaviour, presented same with a petition to Cromwell,
who wrote to Fleetwood in his behalf; whereupon there M'as an
order of council, dated the 19th of May following, to prevent his
transplantation either to Clare or Connaught, and to allow him
to keep peaceable possession of his ancient inheritance in this
county.
N^ov. 2 — John Carew of Garivoe was adjudged to receive 820
acres of land in Connaught or Clare, in lieu of his lands in this
county, forfeited for popery. He had been an adherent of the
English, and opposed to the designs of the rebels, and had on
several occasions disclosed their designs of plundering the country,
which he had learned through spies. His testimonial, without a
date, signed William Tynte, Henry Tynte, Joshua Boyle, Garrett
Fitz-Gerald, states, that for these services, the rebels were
incensed against him; and about two years previous to Michaelmas
last, (when they made a strong incursion into the barony of
Imokilly,) were fully resolved on his destruction ; but that missing
him, they went to his lands of Ballyknockan, and burned his
houses and bam with at least two hundred pounds worth of corn
thereon, utterly H7ite?ian(if/ff and wasting his lands; and that
although he had several kindred among them, yet they were only
such as designed him to destruction, for which they (the
undersigned) thought it riglit to free him from any charge of
kindred moneij, then impressed on others in the barony, an<l
recommended a continu;inoe of this exemption. In a list of his
M
102 CORK REMEMBRANCEH.
A.D. evidences, dated 27th November 1653, is copied a certificate
without date or signature, stating, that at the enemies last being
in this barony, on the '''■Isi of this monthj^ among the rest of
their plundering, burning and preying, John Carewof Garivoc,
esq. had been at the loss of £200 worth of corn, besides two
goodly thatched houses, all burned on the lands of Ballyknockane,
near Ballymartyr, and that all his tenants' corn and houses there
had been also burned, and their cattle carried away by the said
party. On the 18th April 1661, this John Carew petitioned the
king, stating that he had no hand in the plunders, &c. against the
protestants in 1641, or afterwards, having lived under the
protection of the English gaiTisons, and that for no other cause
but his religion and loyalty, he was "expulsed" out of his estate
and possessions, disclaiming any concurrence in the decree for
reprisals, or any entry upon thematLoughrea, and demanding his
former possessions. On the 16th Jvdy 1661, the king, by sign
manual, ordered them to be restored; but this v/as never done,
nor does he appear to have obtained the reprisals at Loughrea.
He was son of Sir Robert Carew of Garivoe, knight, who was
son of John Carew, of the same place. Smith says that the
castles of Ballycrenane and Garivoe were built by the Carews,
and that in the church of Garivoe, there was in his time,
an ancient tomb-stone of this family, but the inscription was not
legible. On the 5th July 1779, the Rev. John Russel Carew of
Cork, a protestant clergyman, inserted an advertisement in
Bagnell's Cork newspaper, stating that some advertisements had
lately appeared relative to Garivoe, part of the ancient estate of
his great great grandfather Sir Robert Carew, and his ancestors ;
that he had found king Charles II's letter, ordering the restoration
of his estates, and that he intended applying to the court of
chancery for redress.
1552 All the Roman Catholic inhabitants were tm-ned out of the
city of Cork, and Protestant magistrates chosen for its government.
About this time the Quakers began first to grow into some
repute in this county, of which Henry Cromv/ell informed Thur-
low. Their meetings were attended by Colonel Phaire, Major
Wallis, and most of the chief officers : some soldiers, and the
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 103
cornet of Cromwell's own troop, had turned Quakers, the A.D.
latter of whom had written to him in their style. Major Hodder,
then governor of Kinsale, kept one of them to preach to the
soldiers.
May 20. — All the Irish were driven out of Kinsale, by an order
from Cromwell and Fleetwood, William Howell, being then,
sovereign.
Lord Broghill, having resolved to declare for the king's resto- 1(357
ration, sent his brother lord Shannon, to Brussells, with eight
linos on a small scrip of paper, nicely quilted in the collar of his
doublet, to assure the king that he had 5000 of his protestant
subjects, all tried men, at or near Cork, ready to attend his majesty;
having heard, however, at this time, that General Monk designed
his i-estoration, he was prevented from going to Ireland, which
was, notwithstanding, the first of the three kingdoms that declared
for his majesty.
May 18 — His majesty, king Charles II, was proclaimed at iqjjq
Cork; on the same day. Colonel Phaire was sent prisoner to
Dublin, and colonel Courthorp was appointed in his place.
Oct. 10 — Lord Broghill was created earl of Orrery, sworn a
privy councillor of England and Ireland, admitted into his
majestj^'s cabinet covmcil, and at the same time made lord presi-
dent of iMunster.
The Irish petitioned the king to be restored to their estates ;
and a day having been appointed, to hear what they had to say,
Sir Nicholas Plunket and others appeai'ed as commissioners for
the Irish; and the earls of Orrery, Mountrath, and six others,
for the English. His majesty al'ter having heard both parties,
declared that he was fully satisfied that all the sufferings which
befel the Irish were only what they deserved, and that, having
clearly forfeited their estates, the English should enjoy them,
lie sharply reproved the commissioners for daring to appear
before him with so much guilt upon them ; whereupon they
withdrew with shame and disgrace.
The lords Orrery and Mountrath, and Sir Maurice Eustace, iqc^i
lord chancellor, were declared lords justices of Ireland, and sent
over with a commission to hold a parliament. In this parliament
104 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. B. the act of settlement was afterwards passed, in which several
Irish were inserted, who had their estates restored. This famous
act, by which the greater part of the estates of this kingdom are
now held, was drawn up chiefly by lord Orreiy and Sir John
Perceval.
1662 The courts of wards was abolished.
1663 Lord Orrery discovered to the lord lieutenant a design of the
fanatics to seize the castle of Dublin, by which their plot was timely
prevented. On the 19th of June his lordship sent orders to the
governors and magistrates of all the corporations within this
province, to search for and seize all the fire-arms they could find,
and not to admit any person within the walls of Cork, Limerick,
or Waterford, with offensive w'eapons, except peers, members of
parliament, officers of the army, &c. The magistrates of Limerick
and Waterford having, according to his lordship's directions,
" purged those places of fanatics and needless papists;" great
numbers of the former flocked to Cork, of which the bishop gave
him intimation. His lordship immediately ordered the mayor to
turn those new comers out of the city, and to hinder others from
entering it, "till he went there himself to make a final purge which
he intended speedily to do."
1665 Several rich ships were this year taken from the Dutch, and
brought into Kinsale.
1666 August — The duke of Ormond visited Cork and Kinsale, on
his progress from Kilkenny. He lay the first night in Cashel, at
the archbishop's, from which he went to the earl of Orrery's house
at Charleville, where he was nobly entertained. He next
proceeded to Cork, and lay at the bishop's palace. On the
following day he went to Kinsale, and dined with Mr. Southwell,
and having visited the fort, he returned the same afternoon to
Cork. During his progress through this county, he was attended
by the earl of Orrery, the nobility and chief gentiy of the county,
and by the horse militia of each barony through which he
passed.
1(367 In a grant of this date to colonel Francis Willoughby, a special
saving was made for the corporation of Cork, of such rights as
they had to a quay in Mallovz-street.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 105
The earl.of Orrery having received intelligence that the duke A. D.
of Beaufort, admiral of France, was preparing to make a descent
at Kinsale, encamped all the militia and standing army of
Munster, brought some of the largest guns out of his majesty's
ships of war, planted batteries along the shore, laid a boom across
the channel to secure the ships in the harbour, and was in a few
days so well provided in every particular, that the French admiral
gave over his design ; nevertheless as Kinsale was an excellent
harbour, but unprotected by any kind of fortification, lord Orrery
prevailed on the king to permit him to erect the present royal
fortification called Charles-fort, the first stone of which he laid
in 1670. During his stay in Kinsale he was nobly entertained
and assisted by Mr. Southwell, and attended by all the gentry of
Munster.
A considerable squadron of ships being seen on this coast, the
inhabitants were very much frightened ; but it proved to be an
English fleet, under the command of Sir Jeremy Smith, who
came into Kinsale on the 13th of July.
Jime — The earl of Orrery assembled the bishop, mayor,
aldermen, and citizens of Cork, with the officers of the army
and militia, and gave them an account of the burning of the
fleet at Chatham by the Dutch. He issued out requisite orders
for the preservation of the city for his majesty, and had a cheer-
ful assurance from all present that they would follow the same as
long as they lived, and that the militia, then consisting of 600
foot and 60 horse, were ready to do duty when commanded. In
case of any sea alarm, he ordered some forces to march into the
Great Island, and a party of the militia to garrison the castle of
Belvelly: and on tliis occasion also garrisons were placed in
Castlemore, Mallow and Doneraile.
Aug. — A fire broke out in Scilly near Kinsale, which con-
sumed a great part of the place.
Sept. — In the beginning of this month a general peace was
proclaimed in the city of Cork, between England, France, Den-
mark, and Holland, with great solemnity, by drums and sound
of trumpet. The mayor and aldermen in their scarlet gowns,
and the rest of the council, and all the companies attended. The
106
CORK REMEMBRANCER,
ta^ town clerk, raised on a platform, read the proclamation, and tlie
night concluded with fire works, illuminations, &c.
1668 Letters patent were passed to Sir Thomas Allen, Knt. for the
sealing of leather through Ireland, and the same being demanded
to be done in the city, by one Thady Caliaghan, gent, the corpo-
ration opposed him, and asserted that they had been in posses-
sion of the same privilege for twelve years before, by a more
ancient grant from his majesty than what Caliaghan produced ; in
consequence of which he was obliged to desist.
1670 Charles, fort at Kinsale was commenced: it cost £73000. On
the works to the sea 100 pieces of brass cannon were mounted.
The channel to the south of the King's marsh, now called
Dunscomb's marsh, ■was cut, and the quay on the same began to
he filled up.
.A'ov. 8 — By a bye-law of the corporation, made on this day the
sons of a freeman at the age of twenty-one years are admitted to
be free, without paying any fine except the officer's fees.
1671 -^ proclamation was issued this year for all the corporations to
renew their charters. The city of Cork appointed Henry Bathurst
to be their agent for the renewing of theirs.
1672 The presidency court was abolished.
Alai/ 21 — New rules were made by the lordlieutenant and council,
for the regulation of the corporations of Cork, Waterford, Kiusale,
Youghal, and of other cities and towns in Ireland, by whicli it
was ordered that the names of all persons, elected to serve the
offices of chief magistrate, recorder, sheriff, or town clerk, should
be presented to the lord lieutenant and tlie privy council, for their
approval, without which they should be incapable of serving the
offices to which they were respectively elected; and that in case
the approval should not be signified within ten days from the time
their names were presented, that the corporation should proceed
to a new election of fit persons, whose names should in like manner
be returned, and so until they should have chosen persons, who
should be approved of as aforesaid ; and that the election for
offices should take place, three calendar months previous to the
day upon which they were to enter upon their offices, in order to
give sufficient time for new elections, in case the lord lieutenant
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 107
and council did not approve of the persons first chosen. It was ^^:}^-
at the same time also ordered, "that all strangers, merchants,
traders, artizans, artificers, seamen, &c. should be admitted
freemen of said cities, upon taking the necessary oaths, and upon
payment or tender of 20s. fine to the chief magistrates and
common council, during his or their residence for the most part,
and their families constantly inhabiting within same, and no
longer."
Jzil^ 29 — The St. David, with seventy East India-men and
forty other rich merchant ships, arrived at Kinsale.
By a proclamation issued this year Roman Catholics were
forbidden to come into the cities of Dublin, Cork, Waterford and
Limerick or any walled town or fortification ; and by another
proclamation they were (with the exception of artificers and
others,) ordered to remove out of all the walled towns of Ireland;
they were soon after however admitted.
Peter Fox and five other persons, pretending to be passengers 1675
in a very rich ship belonging to Holland, which was bound to
France, murdered the master and three of the crew, and brought
the ship into the west of this county ; but by the vigilance of
Robert Southwell, vice president of Munster, five of the nmlefac-
tors were taken and executed, and their heads set up at
Waterford, Cork, Kinsale and Glandore.
The south bridge was rebuilt by the corporation. 1G76
The following subsidies were this 5^ear raised in this county.
Th- earl of Cork, £110. The earl of Barrymore, £30. The earl
of Carber)^ £15. The earl of Clancarty, £40. The earl of
Orreiy, £20. Lord Courcy, £2. Lady Clancarty, £15. The
bishopricks of Cork and Ross, £32 16s. The bishoprick of
Cloyne, £41 4s. The county and city of Cork, £1364 18s.
The Irish of the city of Cork were ordered, by a proclamation, 1077
to keep their markets without the walls of the city.
This year died Dr. Edward Synge, bishop of Cork, Cloyne and ig78
Ross ; by his will he bequeathed the two plowlands of Ballycroueen
in the barony of Iraokilly, which formerly belonged to the sees of
Cloyne, and were purchased by him from Sir John Fitzgerald, knt, '
to the bishops of Cloyne, and their successors for ever. He also
108
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D left several charitable lesracies to the p*>orof St, Fm-har"s, Cork,
and to the poor of Yonghal, Cloyne and Innoshaiinon.
Draw-bridges were made on the north and sonth bridges of the
city of Cork, by order of lord Shannon the governor.
June 10. — The corporation oftlie city of Cork, by a bye-law,
changed the mode of choosing the mayoi-and sheriffs. The mayor
and two sheriffs before made choice, of three persons each
out of the council, being nine in all, who with the present mayor
and sheriffs made twelve. These twelve went into the castle,
and there contimi?d till they made choice of three other persons
out of the common council, to be offered to the freemen as can-
didates for the mayoralty, one of whom they elected by votes ; in
case of disagreement of the twelve men until twelve o'clock at
night, the mayor and sheriffs made choice next day of three more,
and proceeded as before upon a choice of three persons to be
offered to the freemen as candidates for the office of mayor. The
new mode adopted was, that the mayor and sheriffs as formerly
should choose three persons, who were to retire as before to the
castle, and if they disagreed until twelve at night, the mayor was
next day at eleven o'clock to call a council, the majority of which
M'ere to agree on three persons to be offered as candidates.
Nov. 20. — A proclamation was issued by the lord lieutenant
and council, appointing " that the fairs and weekly markets of
certain places, viz. Drogheda, Wexford, Cork, Limerick, Wa-
terford, Youghal and Galway, be thenceforth kept without the
walls of these garrisons, and that Roman Catholics be not suffe':c'd
to continue or reside in the said towns, or in any corporations
where garrisons were kept, imless they had for the greatest part
of twelve months past, inhabited in such towns."'
1G79 March 31 — Letters were sent from the council board to the chief
magistrates of the several corporations of Cork, Limerick,
Waterford, Youghal, Clonmel, Galwey, Kilkenny, Drogheda,
Kinsale, Wexford, Athlone and Ross, for suppressing the
assemblies of the papists, and prohibiting the celebration of their
popish services within and without the walls of the said
corporations.
Oct. — The earl of Orrery died in the o9th year of his age.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 109
The county Court-house fell down the day that Doctor Creagh, A. D.
titular bishop of Cork, was tried. Some persons were killed and
several others had their legs and arms broken : the judge and
bishop received no hurt. The court-house was rebuilt the year
following.
Dec. — A blazing star, whose tail exteeded 40° in length, was
seen in the west of this county.
Captain Robert Brettridge gave an estate of £63 per annum,
charged on the lands of Drumeumer on the Blackwater, for the
support of seven old soldiers who were to have Is. 6d. per week
each, and a long coat, a hat, and a pair of shoes every year. The
overplus, to be applied to the apprenticing of protestant soldiers'
children.
^u^. 22. — The duke of Ormond being lord lieutenant, came to ^ggj
Kinsale, and the same evening visited the new fort, where he and
his retinue lodged ; next morning his grace was rowed up and
down to observe the harbour, and having dined at Sir Robert
Southwell's, he Avent in the afternoon to see some trials of the
pilchard fishing, with which he was very much entertained. He
dined the next day at the old fort with Sir Richard Booth. In
the evening he rode about the hills of Ringcurran, and lay every
night at Sir Nicholas Armorer's. On the 25th, being at the new
fort, "he began a health to his majesty,"' when there was a dis-
charge of all the artillery. He changed its name from Ring-
curran to Charles-fort, and then departed for Cork, being well
satisfied with the fortification.
March 22. — At an assizes held for this coimty, the grand jury ig82
addressed king Charles II, thanking him for the blessings of
peace, security, and a flourishing trade, and assuring his majesty
of their firm attachment to his person and government.
June 6. — The county of the city of Cork, in imitation of Derry,
Kilkenny, Limerick, and other cities in Ireland, addressed the
king, declaring their abhorrence and detestation of the plot and
the late association.
This year there was a most severe frost, the river Lee was i683
frozen many weeks, and carriages passed over from the ferry
slip to the east marsh. The bellfrey of St. Peter's Chiirch was
taken down and rebuilt in this vear.
110 CORK REMEMBRANCER,
A.D. After the death of kin"- Charles IT, the Irish bebw favoured hy
1LS4 .
the court began to grow very insolent to the English. This year
Edward Webber the mayor of Cork pulled down the sign of the
duke of Monmouth's head, which had been lately set up, and
caused it to be burnt with great form and solemnity.
1C85 Henry earl of Clarendon, lord lieutenant of Ireland, was
presented with his freedom of the city of Cork, in a gold box by
the corporation.
Dec. 24 — Writs of 5'?^o tvarranto were issued against all the
corporations of Ireland by lord Tyrconnell, and judgment was
entered against most of the charters of this kingdom.
1G8G The lord lieutenant Tyrconnell came to Cork, and was there
sumptuously entertained by the corporation, Christopher Crofts
being then mayor.
In the west of the county, the Irish began to rob and plunder
openly; whereupon many, who remembered the beginning of the
rebellion in 1641 , were so terrified that they assembled themselves,
and went into walled towns ; and the Irish grew so insolent as to
come in numbers with a piper playing before them, and carry off
the stock and cattle of protestants in the middle of the day.
1G87 Tyrconnell having gone to England, the judges went upon
their circuits through the country, "ptu'suing such instructions
as he had prescribed to them before his departure, which were
severe and prejudicial enough to the English and to the protestant
clergy." They found the gaols stocked with tories and Irish
robbers ; but Irish sheriffs and Irish juries being unwilling to
convict them, not one in forty was found guilty ; and in cases
where facts were so notoriously plain, that it was impossible not
to find the prisoners guilty, when any of the grandees were
interested in their behalf, it was usual for the prisoners to be
called at the bar by wrong names, and then discharged for want
of prosecution. To these arts of evading punishment, several
menaces were added to terrify the plaintiff from prosecuting, an
instance of which is related in the conduct of the earl of Clancarty.
A poor butcher mIio resided at Mallow, having refused the
servants of that nobleman a horse, they violently seized him by
force. The butcher having complained in presence of the earl
CORK REMEMBRANCER. Ill
to tlic iudoes of assize, tlicy ordeird the earl to make him A-D.
I('h7
restitution, which he promised to do; but as soon as the judges
had departed, he took some of his troopers with him, and went to
the man's house, and told him that he was come to give him
satisfaction for his horse ; whereupon he forced him out of his house,
and ordering his troopers to get ready a blanket, they tossed, him
in it, ever and anon letting him fall upon the stones, till they broke
him as completely as if upon the wheel, and lefthim dead upon the
spot; while the earl stood by, a barbarous and inhuman spectator.
The family of this butcher had a considerable tract of Clancarty's
estate afterA\ards granted to them by king William, which were
called "the lands of the butcher of conscience."
Feb. 11. — Sir James Cotter, Knt. was appointed by James II, ig89
governor of the city of Cork, and of the Great Island, to keep
the officers and soldiers in good order and discipline.
Feb. 23. — Lieutenant-general Justin M'Carty, commander in
chief in Munster,gave an order to lieutenant-colonel M'Donough,
"to seize all arms, ammunition, and serviceable horses, in Orrery
and Duhallow, except those which belonged to privy councillors
and persons in the army ; and also, except swords and baggonets
of persons of quality, or gentlemen." An account was to be kept,
that satisfaction might be made for them, and no outrage was to
be committed in the execution of this order.
26. — M'Carty appointed Sir James Cotter to command his
majesty's forces, in the city, the fort, and within the liberties of
Cork.
Feb. 28. — The Bandonians, havmg heard that the earl of
Clancarty was marching with six comjjanies, to reinforce the troop
of horse and the two companies of foot then in their town,
commanded by captain Daniel O'Neil, disarmed the garrison,
killed some soldiers, took possession of their horses and arms,
and would have done much more if they had been assisted. They
then shut their gates, and generously refused to give up any of
their leaders; but in the end tliey purchased their pardon for
£1000, with the demolition of their walls, which were razed to
the ground, and never since rebuilt.
About this time a large party of Irish horse and foot entered
112 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. Cork, and at midnight disarmed all the protestants of the town,
and on the following day seized their horses. They acted
similarly in all the neighbouring villages ; and broke into the
houses of several principal citizens, from whence they took great
sums of money.
March 4. — M'Carty gave a warrant to Sir James Cotter,
then colonel of dragoons, to search for and seize all horses, arms,
and ammunition, in the county of Cork, from persons not licensed
by him.
March 12. — King James landed at Kinsale, and soon after
arrived at Cork, where on the following Sunday, he heard mass
in a chapel belonging to a monastery on the north side of the city
of Cork. He was supported through the streets of the city by
two Franciscan friars, and attended by many others of the same
order in their habits. This abbey, according to Wadding, was
founded by Mac Carthy More in 1231; but Ware says in 1240
by Philip Prendergast. From the strict discipline observed
here, it acquired the name of the my-ror of Ireland. Here was
a most stately church, where several of the principal persons of
Munster were interred, and near it was a celebrated spring, which
the friars pretended had the virtue of cimng sore eyes, by the
miraculous intercession of St. Francis. The possessions of this
house were granted by queen Elizabeth to Andrew Skiddy, who
assigned them to the earl of Cork, by whom they were given to
his son lord Broghill, afterwards carl of Orrerj-.
May 1. — Admiral Herbert being on the south coast of Ireland,
discovered the French fleet at anchor in Bantry bay ; but after
several ineffectual attempts to engage them at advantage, he was
compelled to stand out to sea, as well to get his ships into line,
as to gain the wind of the enemy ; but he fovmd them so cautious
in bearing down that he could not get an opportunity of doing so;
in consequence of which he continued battering upon a stretch till
five in the afternoon, when the French admiral stood into the
bay. Admiral Herbert's ship, and some others, being disabled
in their rigging, could not follow them, but continued for some
time before the bay, and the admiral gave them a shot at
parting.
CORK REMEMBRAN'CER. 113
June — In this and the followincr month, Sir James Cotter was A. D.
appomted to receive the rents of various lands m JJarrymorp,
Imokilly, and Kerriciirrihy, which appear to have been the lands
of the protestants which had been sequestered.
Ju7ie 18 — Mr. Richard Manscll of Cork, narrowly escaped
being hanged, for refusing to take the brass money which king-
James had issued.
July 20. — Sir James Cotter was appointed head ranger of
Shannon Park, in the county of Cork.
^uff. 11. — Lord Clare, governor of Cork, committed all the
protestants of the city to St. Peter's, Christ church, and the court
houses. On the 10th Sept. several were sent to Blarney castle,
and on the 11th many to Macroom. On the 13th October, all the
churches were shut up. In several places the governors went
into houses and shops, and seized what they foimd, without the
formality of a pretence, and took it away. Monsieur Boileau,
who was governor of Cork with lord Clare, "not failing in any
punctilio of his country's dragooning," was supposed to have sent
off for France the value of £30,000 in money, leather, and other
commodities, the spoils of the protestants of this rich city.
^cpt. 13. — Major-general Sgravenmoer sent colonel Donep to
burn the bridge of Mallow, and to view the castle, who having
done so, returned on the 17th, with an account that above one
hundred protestant families thereabouts were in great fear of the
rapparees, who had orders from the governor of Cork to burn their
houses. The major-general thereupon sent a party under major
Tittinghoft to protect them, who engaged the Irish, who were
three or four thousand in number, and by a stratagem completely
routed them.
Sir Thomas Southwell and several other gentlemen of this
county, when marching « ith their servants to join lord Kingston
at Sligo, were met by the high sheriff of the county Galway, and
forced to sun-ender, upon promise of safety and liberty; notwith-
standing which they were afterwards treated with the greatest
indignity and cruelty.
Dec. 1 1 . — ^The grand jury of this county passed a presentation
for raising £ 100 for the seamen who brought over king James.
114 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. Youghcil surrendered to 50 dragoons of king William's army.
^ug. 9 — The governor of Youghal marched with 36 dragoons
and 42 foot to Castlemartj-r, which he obliged to surrender, and
the garrison to march out without arms or horses.
Major Pettinghoff marched from Mallow with a party of horse
and dragoons within nine miles of Cork, and attacked 3000 Irish
rapparees, with others who were posted there, 500 of whom he
killed, and drove the remainder into Cork. The consternation of
the enemy was so great, that eight troops of the English rode
through the north suburbs, and up Blarney lane, without any con-
siderable opposition.
Se2yt. 22 — The earl of IMarlborough arrived in Cork harboiu'
with a body of forces, which consisted of nine complete regiments,
besides two detachments amounting to 300 men, his entrance
was opposed by the enemy with a battciy of eight guns, which he
soon however silenced, by sending some armed boats on shore,
and on the 23d landed without further opposition. On the 22d
major-general S^ravenmoer was sent by the baron de Ginckle
with 900 horse and 300 dragoons to join the earl, who on the day
he landed detached the greater part of the land forces, headed
by the duke of Grafton to Passage, and followed himself; and
having the day after approached within a mile of Cork, he gave
orders for mounting the cannon, in which he received great
assistance from five or six hundred seamen and a body of marines,
who, headed by the duke of Grafton, drew the artillery, though
opposed by two troops of dragoons and a body of foot from the
town. On the 25th, Tcttau with 1000 men, having drawn some
cannon to the Fair hill at the north side of the town, for the
purpose of attacking the new forts and Shandon castle, the Irish
immediately set fire to the suburbs between him and them, and
abandoning the forts and castle, retired with precipitation into
the city. The English having occupied the castle, planted some
guns there and fired into the city. About the same time
Sgravenmoer, with 1200 horse and dragoons, passed the river and
took up his quarters at Gill-abbey. On the 26th the duke of
Wirtemberg with his Danes, and La Melloniere with some French
and Dutch foot, arrived and encamped before the town. On the
U'i- .^r^jLeaiy yi-.UlflS SC^auVk MJl G or>
MA¥ m CDs^iK m im^.
CORK REMEMBRANCER^ 115
27tb, the English took possession of Cat fort which the enemy A. D.
had abandoned, and raising a battery there, threw bombs into
the city, and fired their cannon npon the great fort, from the frier's
garden, and from another battery above the fort near the abbey.
At the same time general Sgravenmoer, having passed the river,
sent lieutenant Horatio Townshend with two files of men to the
top of the steeple of the cathedral, which commanded the fort,
who shot the governor, and did other considerable execution. To
remove this party, the Irish traversed two guns against the steeple,
and shook it exceedingly; whereupon the men offered to go down,
but Townshend with invincible courage commanded those below
to take away the ladder, and continued in that post till the fort
s^a•rendered the next day. By this time the cannon from the
Red abbey had made a breach in the city wall, and brought the
besieged to a parley ; but in consequence of their not acceptmg
the terms which were offered, the besiegers soon made a
considerable breach, and the Danes from the north, and four
regiments of English from the south, under brigadier Churchill,
passed the river to the custom-house marsh, in order to storm the
town. The grenadiers under lord Colchester led the van with
incredible bravery, exposed to the enemy's fire, being encouraged
by the duke of Grafton and other resolute volunteers. Here it
was that the duke was mortally wounded by a musquet shot.*
The van posted themselves under the bank of the marsh, which
served as a counter-scarp to the city wall ; and at the same time
the Salamander and another vessel coming up with the tide to the
end of the marsh, directly before the wall, played their cannon at
the breach, and threw bombs into the city. On the 28th, every
thing being ready for a general assault, colonel M'Ellicut the
governor agreed to surrender the town and the garrison and
himself as prisoners of war, upon condition that no injury should
be done to the inhabitants, and that the general should endeavour
to obtain for them his majesty's pardon. The governor, previous
to the capitulation, had taken £500 from the inhabitants, to spare
the town and suburbs from being burnt ; notwithstanding which,
without any provocation or necessity, he caused the suburbs to
* The place where he was killed is now culled Grafton's Alley.
116 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D, be set on fire at both ends, whereby a great part of the city, was
destroyed, and hundreds of protcstants by this breach of faith
reduced to beggary. The protestant magistrates now re-assumed
their offices, proclaimed the king and queen, and put the place
into some order. On the morning of the 29th, several seamen
and other loose persons entered the city through the breach, and
plundered many houses, especially those of the papists ; but as
soon as the bridge coiild be repaired the earl of Marlborough, the
duke of Wirtemberg, and general Sgravenmoer entered the town,
and took much pains to preserve it from further damage. In the
afternoon all the papists were ordered by proclamation, on pain of
death, to deliver up their arms, and repair to the east marsh,
where all who had been in arms were scciired, and put under
guards, the officers, in the county court-house, and the rest in
other places, which was very necessary, there being near 5000
prisoners, and more than 350 officers. This conquest cost his
majesty not so many as 50 men killed and wounded.
Cork being thus reduced, was put under the government of
colonel Hales. Brigadier Villiers was the same day detached
with a party to possess himself of Kinsale, which not being
tenable was deserted by the enemy. On the 2d of October lord
Marlborough came thither with the army, and on the following
day major-general Tettau and colonel Fitz-Patrick, with about
800 men, got over in boats unpcrceived near Ringroan castle, and
marched down towards the old fort, which they boldly assaulted
and took by storm, whereupon the enemy retired into the castle ;
but at the same time three barrels of their gunpowder took fire at
the gate, and blew it up with about 40 soldiers. At length the
governor colonel Driscoil, and 200 of the garrison being killed,
the rest sm-rendered upon promise of quarter.
Colonel Churchill in a state dispatch, says of the English
garrison then in Cork. "They are fit to conquer, for they must
do that, or starve, which they were very nigh doing, and
consequently desperate. They can draw out 500 men, and not
100 pair of shoes among them, which are not to be got there for
money if they had it."
Oct. 5. — Trenches were opened against Charles-fort; but on
CORK REMEMBER ANCER. 117
the 1 5th a broach bpins; made I)y the Danes, and the English being A. U.
masters of the counterscarp, the governor surrendered upon
honorable terms.
Dec — One Mac Fineen, a prisoner in Cork, escaped, and having
got together a partj- of 400 men marched to Iniskeen ; but finding
it guarded, they went to Castletown, where was a lieutenant and
30 dragoons, who bravely defended the place ; but were at length
forced to surrender.
About this time the Irish who expected to be protected by the
English were ordered to come within the line, viz. Castlehaven,
Macroom, Mallow, Ballyhooly, Fermoy bridge, Cappoquin,
Cahir, &c. being the English quarters.
A Dutch ship which had been made a prize in Bantry bay, was
retaken from the Irish by colonel Eecher. Thirty-six of the
enemy were drowned and as many more made prisoners.
Jan. 24. — 1500 of the Irish, who were encouraged by the 1G91
arrival of Tyrconnel and others from France, with fresh supplies
of arms, ammunition, &c. attacked Fermoy; but the Danes who
defended it beat them back. Soon after 14 troops of horse and
dragoons joined them, with which they moved towards Ballyma-
gooly, under the command of brigadier Carroll, whereupon general
Tettau with 700 horse and 300 foot marched against them and
put them to flight.
Fel). 20. — The lords justices issued a proclamation, decrying
king James's brass money.
March 21. — A detachment of 400 horse and foot under major
CuUiford marched from Cork towards Ballyclogh, where the
enemy were entrenching themselves ; but on his approach they
deserted their works, and left seven of their men, four of whom
were officers, to be taken prisoners. At Bantry also, 70 of the
Irish were killed, and 15 taken prisoners.
24 — Mr. Becher having seized an island on the coast, harrassed
the Irish from thence.
April 11. — Clonakilty was attacked by 500 Irish, who were
however beaten off" by the garrison. On the following day about
1500 of the Irish assaulted Iniskeen, and burnt the whole village
except one house into which the garrison retired, and bravely
defended until relief came from Bandon. n
118 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Macroom was attacked by a great number of the Irish, who
fled upon the approach of major Kirk, with 300 dragoons.
April 30 — Capt. Thornicroft and heutenant Hayes upon their
return from Ballymagooly with 100 of the Cork garrison, was
attacked by Sir James Cotter, major Shngsby, and 300 of the
Irish. The Enghsh had but just time to draw up into an old
decayed pound at Six-mile Watei', where the ditch was scarce
breast high, and in many places broken ; they resisted however
several attacks for the space of three hours, and at last forced
the enemy to retire with the loss of 60 men killed, and as many
wounded. Major Slingsby was carried prisoner to Cork, where
he died of his wounds. The English lost but eight soldiers and
two carmen, and had five wounded. This engagement was
called the fight of Bottle hill.
May 1. — Charles Boyle obtained letters patent from king
William and queen Mary, to be governor of the city and county
of Cork.
An engagement took place between the militia and the Irish
at the ford of Ballyderawn, in which the former were
successful. In the same month lieutenant Moore met with a
party near Bantry, where he killed five, and cornet Evanson four
of the enemy. On the 15th the militia of Eandon took captain
Hugh Donovan and six of his regiment prisoners, and surprized
forty rapparees in a wood, as they were at supper, from whom they
tc ok twenty horses and other booty. About this time also the
Dragon and Advice, frigates, being in Baltimore bay landed 100
seamen, wiio, joining with some of the militia, marched up the
country, but contented themselves with a booty of cattle.
June. — Inniskeen was, by order of governor Cox, fortified and
a garrison of the militia put into it, a party of whom he detached
under colonel Townshend towards Bantry, where they killed near
100 rapparees, and brought off a great deal of plunder. Colonel
Hastings marched from Cork and seized Drumana, on the Black-
water. Major Stroud, at the head of a party of militia, killed
several rapparees near Ballyclough, and lieutenant-colonel Moore,
ten days after, slew GO more near Bandon.
Juhj. — 500 of the militia under colonel Becher met 400 Irish
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 119
near Skibbereen, and put them to flight. The Irish had near 00 A. D.
kiHed, and the mihtia obtained a great booty of cattle.
The Enghsh and Dutch Smyrna fleets appeared in the harbour
of Kinsale.
August 13. — Lord Kinsale quitted king James's party and
retired to his estate.
Several rapparees were killed by major Fenwick near Macroom,
and seven others were slain in Minterbarra.
Oct. 7. — The account of the articles being signed and
exchanged for the surrender of Limerick having arrived in Cork,
the citizens expressed their joy by bonfires, and discharges of
cannon from the walls and the ships in the harbour. The Irish
foot having marched from Limerick to Cork, upon the surrender
of the former city, to be shipped for France, several of them
embarked in the Breda frigate, which lay at anchor in Cork, har-
bour. On the 12th she accidentally took fire and blew up, most
of the men being lost : Captain Tenet the commander, was taken
up alive, but died within an hour.
c'Voy. — The Irish horse were shipped off" at Cork. The
commissar3''-general of the Danish forces went with them, to
receive their bills of exchange and to see the transport sliips sent
back.
Dec. 9 — ^Thefollowing testimonial of his conduct, while he was
governor of Cork, under James II, was given to Sir James Cotter,
knt. "We the undernamed of the citty of Corke doe declare, that
during Sir James Cotter's being governor of the said citty and
county, the protcstants thereof, (as much as in him lay,) did
receive all manner of countenance and favour from him, and that,
instead of being confined or imprisoned upon all alarms, as we were
by his predecessors and successors in that government, he desired
all such of us as were by them turned out of the citty and our
houses, to [ ] into them again, and that during his government
there should be no sucli hardship put upon us, which he justly
performed ; for which reason, and no other that we could either
know or heare of, he hath, (to our great prejudices,) been
removed, being by the French faction represented as a man not
fit to be trusted, where any protestants were. All which we hold
120 CORK REMEMBRANCIlR.
A-D. ourselves obliged to certifie under our hands att Corke, this 9t!i
day of December, 1691." (Signed) Daniel Crone, Mayor.
P. Renew, Samuel Love, sheriffs. Walter Neale, rector and
vicar of St. Mary's Shandon, and vicar-general of the diocess of
Cork and Ross. Wm. Carr, John Gillman, Fra. Rogers,
Wm. Roberts, Ulick Greene, Edmund Knapp. A similar
certificate was at the same time given to him by the lord bishop
of Cork and Ross, who however declared in it, that he knew
nothing of the cause of his removal. He had also a certificate,
(signed) Fr. Pomeroy, dean, Edw. Synge, rector and vicar
of Christ church, Corke. On the 12th of May 1692, Charles
Northcote certified, "that when he, Mr. William Southwell,
and Mr. Symou Griffith, were sent prisoners from off the French
fleet, in the harbour of Cork, to Sir James Cotter, governor
of the said city, the said Sir James Cotter did use them with
all humanity and kindness he was able, notwithstanding their
being under sentence for treason against the then government,
and that he ventured to be kind to them, beyond their hopes and
reasonable expectations."'
1692 Jem. 19. — A great frost began in Ireland, and continued until
the middle of February.
March 23. — A proclamation was published, declaring the war
in Ireland to be at an end.
Provisions being exceedingly scarce after the war, 20 ships
laden with various kinds arrived at Cork, under convoy of the
Smyrna merchant, from England.
July 18 — Four French men of war, having been disabled by
admiral Russel at the battle of La Hogue, were brought into
Kinsale by the king's ships. On the 1st of August Sir George
Rook arrived in the same harbour with the squadron under his
command, and about 40 English and Dutch merchant ships.
J\rov. — There was a violent storm which did great damage at
Cork and Kinsale. In Bantry bay a privateer of 20 guns belong-
ing to St. Maloes, perished.
1G93 The flesh shambles of Cork were erected by the corporation, in
the centre of the city, at the expense of £481 5s. St, Mary
Shanu(,>n church was built in the same vear.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 121
A party ol" about 10 torics came to Skibbcrcen, where having A. D.
killed two revenue officers, they plundered the custom-house, and
carried oft' all the goods therein^
A tip-staft" was sent from Dublin by the house of commons,
against James French and Simon Dring, sheriffs of the city of
Cork, for quartering soldiers on private house-keepers.
Jan. 20. — The common council of Cork ordered that the 1095
Roman Catholics imposed on them as freemen by the late king
James without taking the usual oaths, should not be deemed
freemen of this city for the future.
July 30. — The Devonshire, man of war, had her deck blown
up by accident in Kinsale harbour, and thirty men wounded.
May 16 — The deputy governor of this county, with the bishops,
clergy, and gentry thereof, entered into an association for the
defence of his majesty's person and government.
The townsmen of Youghal, having manned out a boat with ig95
about 40 seamen and soldiers, took a French privateer, which lay
at anchor under Cable island, and had seized some boats belonging
to the town.
JSTov. — Amos Godsell, Thomas Lapp, Joseph Maddock, Yff]
Joseph Franklin, Thomas Millerd, William Delahide, sen. and
James Baker, freemen of the city of Cork, petitioned the house of
commons on behalf of themselves, and the greatest part of the
traders who were freemen, against the mayor and common council
of that city, complaining of several unreasonable taxes imposed
upon them since the surrender of the city to khig William, and
stating amongst other things, that the gateage paid by the foreign-
ers since the year 1G90, was much more than the corporation had
expended in repairing their walls and bridges ; that the revenue
of the city amounted to £700 per annum, which was sufficient to
defray all the expenses of the corporation, to repair the walls and
bridges, and to pay their just debts ; and that the common council
exempted themselves, by a bye-law made by themselves, from
having soldiers quartered on them, and at the same time quartered
them on the petitioners. On the 22d the petition was argued,
and counsel heard, and witnesses examined on both sides, when
it was resolved, nem. con, that the petitioners had fully proved
122
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. their allegations, and tliat the levying of gateage complaiucd of
was exorbitant, arbitrary, and illegal. It was at the same time
ordered that Mr. James French the late mayor, should be taken
into the custody of the Serjeant at arms, for contemptuous words
which he had spoken against the house; and that Mr. Theophilus
Morris, one of the late sheriffs, be summoned to attend the house,
to answer a complaint against him for discouraging the prosecu-
tion of the petition.
Dec. 24. — A body of troops in the service of William III
arrived from Flanders, and landed at Bantry bay.
1G98 The old barrack to the east of Elizabeth's fort was built this
year.
^ug. 25. — The marquis of Winchester and the earl of Galway
lords justices, arrived at Cork. They were met some miles from
the town by the bishop and clergy of the diocese, and several
gentlemen, and were received at the gates by the mayor and
aldermen in their formalities, by whom they were sumptuously
entertained, at the expense of £200, and were made free of the
city. On the 26th they went to Kinsale, visited the fort, and
reviewed Sir Matthew Bridge's regiment of foot. On the 28th,
they reviewed the royal regiment of foot, commanded by Colonel
Hamilton, and the same day returned to Cork, where, after having
taken a view of the Harbour, they were entertained by the bishop.
On the following day they left Cork for Limerick.
There were in this county 30 regular clergy and 97 seculars,
of whom 75 were this year shipped off from Cork, their passage
and provisions being paid for by act of parliament.
An agreement was entered into between Timothy Tuckey and
William Dunscombe, whereby the latter was to build a "stone
bridge from Tuckey's kea* to the east or Dunscombe's marsh."
This bridge was built in the following year.
* Tuckey's quay was originally the bank or waste ground outside the city
wall, extending 1U30 feet from "the south river Lee, to the river of the middle
key," and was bounded on the east by a channel of tlie river, which divided
it from Dunscombe's marsh. The south part of it was afterwards called Post
Office quay. The channel was at a subsequent period filled up, and with the
q\iays at each side, now forms the Grand Parade.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 123
William Worth, granted the Spittle lauds, with those of east A. D.
and West Ballynamought and Cahirgall to the mayor and con-
stables of the Staple, in trust for St. Stephen's, or the Blue Coat
Hospital. This charity had been founded by Dr. Edward Worth,
bishop of Killaloe and dean of Cork, some time before the
restoration ; and the hospital seems to have been possessed of the
estates in the north liberties, long before the above grant,^ as
appears from an order of council of October 7, 1674, mentioned
by Smith, while the name of the other estates, "Spittle lands,"
as well as some passages in William Worths's grant,^ indicate a
similar previous ownership. A letter of attorney* also, (the
original of which is in the possession of Mr. A. Abel) corroborates
this view ; so that on the whole, it seems that William Worth
took on himself to remodel the charity, without being himself ia
any respect the founder.
* The fallowing is a copy of the letter of attorney, above mentioned .
I, Domnick Sarsfield, Esq. mayor of yc citty of Corcke, and prior of ye
hospital! of St. Stephen, without ye south gate of ye said citty, pursuant to
an order lately made in the common councel of the said citty ; doe by these
presents, impower and authorise Michael Gold, of the citty of Corck, gent,,
my lawful atturuey, to ask, [ ] levy, sue for, and recover from Johu
Cornish, butcher, an [ ] y^ lessees and tenants of the lands and tenamts.
belonging to y^ said hospitall, to ye use, and in trust for y^ Reveread fathers
of ye society of Jesus, liveing in y^ said citty, ye sume of three score pounds
sterling, yearly, to commence from ys 25th day of March last, and to continue
as in ys said order of councell is settled, and to ask, have, receive, sue for, and
recover ye sume of £30 sterling, due of ye said salary to ye said fathers, for
half a year, ending ye 29th of 7ber last. And I do likewise impower and
authorise ye said Michael Gold, pursuant to ye said order of councell, and by
direction and approbation of ye said fa"^*. in case he be refused payment by
ye said .John Cornish, or any other ye tenants or lessees, to distraine for what
rents and arrears are or shall be due, and to sue, arrest, attatch, and prosecute
all and every ye said tenants and lessees, and upon recovery or payment to him,
to pay and satisfye over unto ye said fathers, ye said three score pounds, and
what ye said atturney shall doe in and concerning ye said matters, I doe by
these presents ratify, allow, and confirme. Witness my hand and seal, this
llth day of February, 1689.
DOM. SARSFIELD, Mayor. (Seal.)
Being present, fJ-^^'^^V^^'-'^^^'
'^ ^ '5 Don. Eeeffe,
124 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. June — Twelve regiments of foot embarked at Cork for Flanders*
1701
Dec. 15 — The mayor, sheriffs, and commonalty of Cork
addressed his majesty king William, setting forth their attachment
to his person and government, and that they wonld aid him with
their lives and fortunes, against the French king and all his
enemies.
Admiral Sir Stafford Fairborne and General Earle, being at
Cork, were sumptuously entertained by the citizens and presented
with their freedom in silver boxes.
1703 An act was passed this year for cleansing the channel of the
harbour of Coi*k.
July — The Duke of Ormond, lord lieutenant of Ireland, made
a progress through this province, and reviewed the forces and
garrisons of Waterford, Cork, Kinsale, Limerick, &c.
J^Tov. 18 — Upon petition of the sovereign of Kinsale, it was
ordered that the light-house at the old head of Kinsale might
have lights as usual.
1704 Sixty-two Roman Catholic Priests were registered in the county
and city of Cork, of which fifty-two were in the county and four
in the city.
1705 Sir John Jennings with a squadron of Ships of war, and three
French privateer prizes came into Cork harbour.
1706 A great part of the walls of the city of Cork being in a ruinous
condition, there was an order of council to have several of the
breaches stopped, and all the stairs leading thereto taken down,
and the same year a great part of the city wall facing the east
marsh was taken down accordingly.
Auijust — Several regiments of horse and foot encamped near
Cork under the command of major-general Langston, in order to
be embarked for Catalonia.
Dean Swift about this time, thus writes in relation to Cork:
"There is not an acre in Ireland turned to half its advantage, yet
it is better improved than the people, and all those evils are the
effects of English misrule, so your sons and grandchildren will
find to their sorrow. Cork indeed was a place of trade, but for
some years past is gone to decay, and the wretched merchants,
instead of being dealers, are pedlars and cheats."
CORK riEMEMBRANCER. 125
ufipril 3. — The high sheriff, grand jury, deputy governor, A.D.
justices of the peace, clergy, Sec. of this county addressed the
queen, testifying their abhorrence of the designed invasion of the
French, promising that they would stand by her majesty, with
their lives and fortunes, and thanking her for the dispatch used in
sending out the fleet and assembling the land forces.
An epidemic fever visited Cork from the month of August until
the following January.
The foundation of the exchange was laid.
This year the last presentment for killing wolves was made in 17 jq
this county.
The wooden bridge at the north end of the city of Cork was 1712
taken down, and a new bridge erected, the piers, arches, and
hutments of which, were faced with hewn stone.
May 7. — Mary Earberry M'as burnt at Gallows green, for
poisoning her husband.
The wooden bridge at the south end of the city of Cork was 1713
taken down, and a stone bridge erected at the expense of the
corporation.
The earl of Sunderland presented addresses to king George I, 1714
on his accession to the throne from the high sheriff, grand jury,
justices of the peace, gentlemen and freeholders of the county,
and the grand juiy, freeholders, gentlemen, and principal
inhabitants of the county of the city of Cork, and also from the
corporations of Kinsale and Charleville.
There was a great fall of snow, which continued two months. 1715
North gaol was built by a tax on the inhabitants.
The Green Coat Hospital was built on a waste piece of ground
adjoining the old church-yard, where the old parish church
formerly stood, till it was demolished in the late wars. This
ground was presented by the Reverend Dr. Henry Maule, then
incumbent of the parish of St. Mary Shandon, to whom it then
belonged.
The battle of Glanmire was fought on Saturday, the 11th of
June. It was occasioned by the soldiers of the regiment who lay
in the old barrack, who turned out for their arrears and pay, which
were detained from them for some time. They marched out of the
126 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A_-D. barrack, and went up to lower Glaslieen, with drums beating,
and colours flying, crossed the river Lee, went to the foot of
Dublin hill, and encamped in a field belonging to one Peter
Healy, where they halted a few days, and then marched to Glan-
mire. At this time they were pursued by a regiment of soldiers,
who landed that morning at the Cove of Cork, with two brass
field pieces; upon which the mutineers made a stand at the
further side of the bridge, headed by a Dutchman, named John
Christopher Gurry, and some others of their own regiment, who
made a resolute defence : their ammunition having failed, they
made use of their buttons as a substitute for bullets, when at last
they gave way, and retreated in disorder. The Dutchman, and
Coffee, and Holland, two of the ringladers, were taken, tried by
a court-martial, and shot at Gallows-green. Many others were
whipt severely.
Christ church being in a ruinous condition, was taken down,
and rebuilt in the year 1720, by a tax of one shilling per ton,
laid on all coal and culm brought into the city. The corporation
gave £200 towards the expense of the building.
1718 The king's castle was taken down in this year, and houses were
built on its site. The queen's castle was standing in the reign
of James I. Both were situated at the lower end of Castle
street.
The site of Skiddy's and Brcttridge's alms' houses which were
at this time connected with onc-anothcr, having fallen into decay,
the corporation determined upon finding another site, and letting
the ancient one for the benefit of the charities, and accordingly
took a piece of ground from the trustees of the Green Coat
hospital, upon which they erected a buikling capable of contain-
ing the inmates under the wills both of Skiddy and Bi-etti-idge.
Dec. 20 — War was proclaimed in Cork against Spain.
1719 The Mardyke walk was commenced at the private expense of
Mr. Edward Webber, who also built a house at the west end,
where there were good gardens planted with fruit, for the accom-
modation and entertainment of persons who frequented the
walk.
The new barrack in Elizabeth's fort was built. In the same
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 127
year, the foundation of the North Charitable Infirmary v.as laid, A. I").
' i7iy
and St. Peter's school and alms house were built, as also Kp'le's
quay, on the east side of the north gaol.
An act v/as passed, whereby, after reciting, " that it had been
found by experience, that all cities well furnished with public
lights in the dark nights are much freer from murders, robberies,
thefts, and other insolencies, than such cities as are not so fur-
nished, and for want of them, many accidents in the night time
have happened, to the ruin of several inhabitants residing in
such cities," it was enacted, amongst other provisions for light-
ing several towns and cities, that William Maynard, Esq.
Samuel "Wilson and Jeremiah Forster, merchants, their exe-
cutors and administrators, shall have full pov/er and authority,
from time to time, during the space of twenty -one years, to
cause public lights to be erected and maintained in the city of
Cork, and the liberties thereof.
Jan 19. — St. Nicholas's church v/as begun to be erected. 1720
St. Anne's Shandon church was commenced upon the old
foundation, where St. Mary Shandon stood : it was determined
to make it a distinct parish, upon the demise or removal of the
then incumbent. It was erected by subscription. The steeple
is of hewn stone, 120 feet high, with a spire 50 feet in addition,
which v/as erected in the year 1749. In this same year Blackrock
castle was built.
April 18. — Captains Henry Vv^ard and Francis Fitz-Gerald 1722
were hanged and quartered at Gallows-green, for enlisting men
for the service of the pretender.
May 19. — One WiUiam Eoe stood in the pillory, and on the
23d was severely whipt for repeating the following seditious words,
"may king James the third enjoy his own again."
Lord Shannon, one of the lords justices of Ireland, was
entertained by the corporation of Cork, and presented with his
freedom in a gold box.
May 14 — St. Paul's chiu'ch Avas built by a subscription of the 1723
parishioners. The ground where it is situated wa.s granted by the
corporation to bishop Browne.
The old custom-house being too small, it was taken down ;uid 1724
128 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. U. a new one erected the same year ; which building is now occupied
by the Royal Cork Institution.
1725 The cathedral church of St Fin-Bar's was taken down in order
to be rebuilt.
1726 June 20 — The east end of St. Nicholas's church was greatly
damaged by thunder and lightning, and some of the books and
cushions were burnt.
Douglas factory was begun to be built.
1727 March W. — There happened one of the greatest inundations
known in this city before that time ; the water was one foot two
inches over the highest part of the quays ; it blew a storm all the
night before at S. W.
1728 This year the building of South gaol was commenced, and was
finished in 1730. A wooden bridge was built on Dimscombe's
marsh by alderman Crone.
Feb. 2 — There being a scarcity of provisions this year, a
desperate mob arose, and broke open the cellars of the mayor,
and did other considerable mischief. They were at length
suppressed by the military, who were compelled to fire upon them.
In the beginning of June there were great riots between the
weavers and butchers at the fair of this city.
1729 The north and south chapels were built; the latter was after-
wards burnt.
An act was passed for cleansing and deepening the harbours and
rivers of Cork, Galway, Sligo, Drogheda and Belfast; and for
erecting a ballast-office in each.
According to the accounts of the collector of the duty on coals,
from 1719 to 1729 there were about 6000 tons of coal burnt in
this city yearly.
1730 The dragon was blown off the exchange.
1731 A new bridewell, and a bridge on Haman's marsh, which led
to the quaker's meeting-house, were this year built.
1732 According to a return made by the hearth money collectors in
this and the following year, there were in the city of Cork, 2569
Protestant, and 5398 Roman Catholic families.
On Whit-sun Monday and Whit-sun Tuesday, the weavers,
combers, and other persons belonging to the cloathing trade,
paraded the streets, with a loom drawn by horses.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 129
Sent. — A larofo brids-e was erected between Ilamairs and ^^'^•
1732
Pike's marshes, which last, with the quay called Pike's quay,
was then filled up.
The corporation erected shambles for the sale of meal and milk 173.3
at the south side of the city, which cost £140.
Forty carcases of beef were seized, and burnt before the 1735
exchange of Cork, as not being fit for transportation.
An act was passed this year, whereby, after reciting, "that the
cathedral church of St. Fin-barry in the city of Cork was by length
of time grown so ruinous and decayed, that it was not safe for the
inhabitants of said parish to attend divine service therein, and
that it had become absolutely necessary to pull down the same in
order to have it rebuilt, and that the economy of the dean and
chapter belonging to said cathedral, by reason of the smallness of
its fund, and that the inhabitants of said parish, by reason of their
poverty, were unable to support the whole charge of rebuilding
the cathedral;" and also reciting the necessity for a work-house
in the city of Cork, and the willingness of the corporation of Cork
to appropriate a convenient piece of ground for the pvn-pose; it
was enacted that one shilling per ton duty should be laid on
coals and culm brought into the city, towards the building of the
cathedral and of a work-house, to be applied for five years towards
the expense of the cathedral, and for the remainder of the time,
to the building and support of the work-house.
St. Fin-barry's free school and library were founded by
archdeacon Pomro}^ for the education of such children as the
bishop should recommend.
Several weirs wTre presented by the grand jury as nuisances, and 1737
removed by the sheriffs.
Gill-abbey castle fell down, after standing 980 years. 1738
May 4 — On this and the previous day was fought the famous
stag match between the county and city gentlemen. The latter
lost ten battles out of twelve.
June — The Charming Sally of Bristol, (captain John Maddox
commander,) when within 300 leagues westward of Ireland, struck
against a grampus of enormous size; the ship gave a terrible
bounce, and overset all the chests, &c. in the cabin, and between
130 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
.\. D. decks. It was supposed that the fish was cut dreadfully, as the
sea was stained with his blood : shortly afterwards the ship begau
to fill with water, and upon examination, it was fouud to have been
much injured, and to prevent her sinking, the crew stuffed pieces of
beef and pork between the planks, and by continual pumping kept
her above water for five days, at the end of which period they
met a sloop from Portugal bound to Cork, into which they went,
and thus arrived safe in this city in a few days.
13 — Murtagh Oge 0"Sullivan, of Eyres, in this county, pv\b-
lished in a Cork newspaper an advertisement of this date, stating,
"that he had been charged with the harbouring of tories and
rapparees ;" and giving notice, that he would stand his trial for
the same at the next general assizes.
1739 JSfov. 5. — War was proclaimed in Cork against the king of
Spain.
Dec. 26. — The river Lee was frozen by one of the hardest
frosts in the memory of man, usually called "the hard frost";
during the time it lasted tents were fixed on the river, from the
north strand to Blackrock, and several amusements were carried
on there, which continued even after the commencement of the
thaw. One day a quaker having impmdently ventured too far
down the channel, the ice broke, and he fell in. An arch wag
seeing what happened, ran to the first tent and asked the owner,
if any smuggled goods were in the cellar, and if so, desired him
to secure them, otherwise they would be seized, as an exciseman
had just gone down there to search. During this frost. Lough a
Drippel near Dunman way, remained without freezing.
1740 The corn market was built.
During the summer of this year there was a great scarcity, and
nimibers of the poor perished, though several were daily fed at a
public iness in this city. There was a large pit dug at the back
of the Green in Shandon church-yard, where several hundred
indigent persons were buried, for want of money to purchase
graves for themselves.
1741 Sept — Captain Chipps arrived in Cork from Dantzic in thirty
days, in an open boat of six tons burthen, with only one boy.
He had before made a voyage in a sloop from Barbadoes, with
onlv one man.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 131
Letters patent passed lor erecting within the city and hbcrtics •'^•P*
of Cork, " one guild or fraternity of brewers and malsters".
Alderaian Robsrt Atkins was thereby appointed first master, and
Mr. William Clarke, and Mr. Matthias Smyth, first wardens.
April 10. — War was proclaimed in this city against France. 1"'^
Sept. — A very high tide overflowed the quays, and filled all 1745
the cellars in the town, and did considerable mischief.
The body of True Blues first assembled in this city.
The sum of £70,000 was borrowed by government, to be
expended in providing arms for the use of the militia of this
kingdom, and in erecting a battery or batteries, for the defence
and security of Cork harbour.
The militia of Cork at this time consisted of 3000 foot and 200 171G
horse.
Aug. — Eichard Dooly was fined £10, for saying in open court
during the assizes, " that he did not expect justice whilst the
mayor sat on the bench."
An attempt was made by above 1600 French and Spanish l^"^?
pi'isoners to possess themselves of Kinsale, and of all the arms
and ammunition there ; the plot was however discovered.
Methodists first came to Cork. 1718
The work-house was fmished, and opened for the reception of
foundling children, beggars, Sic.
The gaol of Kinsale took fire, and 54 prisoners, chiefly
Spanish, perished.
The steeple of Christ Church sunk so much at one side, that
it was taken down as low as the roof of the church.
In the summer of this year there fell, in and about the town
of Doneraile, a shower of a yellowish substance which resembled
brimstone, and had a sulphureous smell; it lay but thin on the
gromid, and soon dissolved.
His majesty's letters patent passed the great seal, granting to
the corporation of the city of Cork two fairs, to be held annually in
or near the Lough, in the south liberties, on the Tuesday and
Wednesday next after the 25th of March and 15th of August.
June 18. — About four o" Clock in the afternoon there happened
a violent storm of thunder, lightning and hail. It continued
132 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. above a quarter of an hour. Several of the hail stones which fell
1 74S
measured five inches square, and others had five or six forks
projecting from them, of an inch long each, by which several
windows were broken, and other considerable damage done in
and about Cork.
1749 A peace with France and Spain was proclaimed in Cork.
Jime 7. — A fire broke out at Cunyglass in this county, which
consumed all the houses on both sides of the street as far as the
bridge.
Dec. 11. — The Munster Journal of this date mentions that it
was the custom to carry foot-pads from the dock to the gallows,
when found guilty, and hung up iinmediately.
There being a violent flood this year in the Bandon river, the
bridge was thrown down, and considerable damage done to the
town.
Mr. Richard Meade, of Bantry, obtained a premium, given by
the Rev. Doctor Madden, for having proved to the Dublin society,
that he had within the j'ear caught and cured 380,800 fishes of
different kinds.
1750 Jan. 21. — According to Smith's history of Cork, an aurora
borealis appeared in the evening of this day, and continued about
an hour, it extended from east to west over the heart of the city,
tinged with so deep a scarlet, that at a distance the town seemed
to be in flames, during which time, it moved in a compact body
from north to south with a very slow motion. In the Mmister
JouiTial this occurrence is stated to have happened about seven in
the morning of the 22d.
28 & 29. — On this and the following night, there was so violent
a flood that the whole town was nearly under water. It was four
feet deep in the houses on Dunscombe's marsh, and three in the
middle of the city. The damage done to the merchants was very
considerable.
Nov. 16. — The True Blues entertained their colonel, Henry
Cavendish, at the council chamber. At night there were illumi-
nations, bonfires, &c.
Dec. 2. — During a dreadful storm at Newmarket, a fire broke
out, which consimicd fourteen houses.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 133
The North Infirmary was established by act of parliament. A. D.
. 1751
In consequence of the crimes committed by the Irish hay-
makers in England, who, under the pretence of going over to
work at harvest, frequently went into the French service, a bill
was brought into the English parliament, to prevent any of these
"vagabond spaulpccns" from landing in any part of Great Britain,
without certificates of their good behaviour from the magistrates
of such districts as they resided in, and their giving security to
the government, that they would not enter the French or any
other foreign service .
An act was passed, whereby, after reciting "that the parish of
St. Nicholas, in the south suburbs of the city of Cork, was so
small, and the bounds thereof so intermeddled with other small
contiguous parishes, or parts of the said south liberties, callegl
and described by the name of parishes, (and in which no church
was or could be built,) that no provision could be made for the
support of a clergyman to officiate in the church, then built in
said parish, nor even to repair said church, and in which on that
account there had been no divine service for some time, and that
said church was in danger of going to ruin; and also reciting that
the inhabitants of the parishes, or parts of the south liberties
called by these names, viz., St. Bridget's, St. John's of Jerusalem,
St. Nicholas's, St. Stephen's, St. Maiy's, and St. Dominick's,
had then no church to resort to for the public worship of God ;
for remedy whereof it was enacted, that the bishop of Cork, with
the approbation of the archbishop, and consent of the dean and
chapter, and a majority of the inhabitants of the said parishes,
might at a vestry in St. Nicholas's Church, unite said parishes to
St. Nicholas's parish for ever; provided however, as the parish
of St. Bridget's was then the corps of the chancellorship of the
Cathedral, that the united parish of St. Nicholas's should ever
thereafter be deemed and construed to be the corps of the
chancellorship of same, and that the chancellor of the Cathedral
should be deemed and become, to all intents and purposes what-
soever, the rector and minister of said united and newly erected
parish of St. Nicholas.
Feb. — William Austin of Cork, attorney, was appointed by
o
134 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D.
1?51
the lords of the admiralty, judge of the admh-alty court for the
province of Muuster,
Mar. 1. — There was a violent peal of thunder heard at Kin-
sale, attended with lightning, which split the flag-stafi" at the
fort. Several balls of fii"e were at the same time seen to run
along the ramparts.
^iig. — Benjamin Bonworth, the city gaoler, was fined £40,
and ordered to be imprisoned until it was paid, for not having
done his duty in burning one Timothy Bourke on the hand with
a hot iron, as he was directed; it being a cold one he made use
of.
1752 This year consisted of but 355 days, the period from the 2d to
the 13th of November (both inclusive) not being reckoned, but
omitted in order to make our year commence at the same time
as that of other nations. This was m hat was termed " new
style."
Mar. — Henry Boyle, Esq. speaker of the house of commons,
arrived in this city.
Sept. — St. Finbarry's bells were put up, as were also those of
Shandon in the same year.
1753 April — One Matthew Callaghane, upon receiving sentence of
death in the city court, for the robbery of captaiji Capel, leaped
out of the dock with his bolts on, and made his escape out of
court, but was re-taken the same day, and hanged at the corner
of Broad lane, on the 25th of April. The criminal was taken in
Court lane, and the informer who discovered on him was so
illtreated by the mob, (having had one of his ears cut off), that
his life was despaired of. Since this transaction, the dock in the
city court was made higher.
April 19 — One Francis Taylor was buried in St. Peter's
Church-yard, and the next morning was found sitting up in the
grave, one of his shoulders much mangled, one of his hands full of
clay, and blood running from his eyes, a melancholy instance of
the fatal consequences of a too precipitate interment.
May 1 — There was the greatest and longest shower of hail ever
remembered in this city.
1754 Apr'd 20 — William Sullivan was executed on the new stone
CORK REMEfMBRANCER. 135
gallows, which at that time faced the pound and the lough road, A. D.
:: 1754
for running away with Miss Margaret Mullane.
May 4 — A party of soldiers under the command of lieutenant
Appleton was sent in pursuit of Morty Oge 0"SulUvan, one of the
murderers of John Puxley, Esq. on the 4th. About 12 o'clock at
night, they arrived at Bearhaven, and in a short time after were
discovered by the centinels belonging to SuUivan ; but the party
being too far advanced tow^ards the house, the centinels had not
time to warn the inmates of their approach, but made the best of
their way to save themselves. The party immediately surrounded
the house, but Sullivan and his party being alarmed by the
barking of a dog which was in the house, took the alarm
directly, Sullivan being in his shirt, came to the door and opened
it with a blunderbuss in his hand; upon which he and his men
fired several blunderbusses out of the house at the party, but
finding them too strong, he thought of the stratagem of sending
out men, one at a time, thinking that the party would have left
the house to follow them, by which means he might escape, but
he was prevented by the officer, who only fired at the men as they
went off. At length Sullivan's wife Avith her child and nurse,
came out and asked for quarter, which was granted ; the officer
asked her who was in the house; she answered, no one but her
husband and some of his men ; upon which he ordered the house
to be set on fire, which they were a longtime in doing, the men's
arms beirag rendered quite useless from the heavy rains; but this
being at last accomplished, they were obliged to come out.
Sullivan and his men behaved with great bravery, he himself
snapped hisblunderbuss twice at the party, which missed fire ; the
officer's party also fired at him twice with as little success, but
the third time shot him and some others dead, some more were
wounded, but they only brought away the body of Sullivan and
two prisoners John Sullivan and Daniel Connel ; the king's boat
at the same time w^ent round and sunk the sloop belonging to
Sullivan. Had it not been for the wetness of the night, the party
would have been discovered sooner, but Sullivan had not his usual
centinels out, not expecting any thing to disturb him. The two
prisoners were put into the south gaol mitil the assizes, when they
136 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. were hansred on the wooden callows and their heads spiked on
1754 o » I
the south gaol ; Sullivan's body was lodged in the barrack-
yard until further orders; he was afterwards taken to the county
court, his head spiked on the south gaol, and his remains interred
on the battery in the new barrack.
July 23. — About 400 journeymen, weavers and combers,
walked in procession to the gallows with a fleece all ragged and
decayed carried before them ; some poor artists in mourning ap-
peared in the cavalcade, they hanged and afterwards burnt at the
gallows, an effigy dressed up in chintz and foreign cotton.
A.ug. 18. — Samuel Levy, a Jew, was baptized in Peter's
church, by the bishop of Cork.
1755 March. — Extract of a letter from Peake, in the parish of
Aghabullogue and county Cork, written by the Rev. Marmadukc
Cox, in this month. " Last Thursday as some labourers were
making a ditch to enclose a potatoe garden, one of them dropt
his spade into a deep hole, which obliged him to open the earth
to get out the spade, when he found a passage into fifteen (some
say seventeen) very large subterraneous rooms or caverns, in one
of which by estimation were above 500 skeletons, and in another
five skeletons, all entire and laid at a distance of about a foot from
each other, I examined one of the skulls, and found it more
perfect and clean than any boiling or chirurgical art could prepare
it, the teeth very regular and distinct, but upon being exposed
to the air it opened and mouldered to pieces. The bones were
of a pale reddish or brick colour, some others of them appeared
as if they had been burned. The country people flocked in so
fast, on hearing of this antique place, that they trod the bones
into powder, they being quite destitute of oil or substance ; for
they were indeed as the shadow of bones. Pulvis et umhra
sumus. 'Tis imagined, there must be another passage to these
subterraneous chambers from a Danish fort, about one hundred
and fifty yards from the present entrance, this being very narrow.
The rooms are about five feet high ; there are other chambers
that arc not got into ; the entrance being defended by very large
stones, laid in the doors which cannot easily be removed.
Whether they were the habitation of the Aborigines Irish, or
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 137
contrived by the Danes, about the year 800 or 900, the curious A. D.
may judge. There was a beautiful carved wood comb and comb
case found in one of the rooms ; but the air mouldered them into
dust. 'Tis supposed, if an entrance can be made into these
chambers defended by these stones, that some curiosities will be
found that will give further light into this affair; for one part of
these caverns was their dwelling, and the other part the repository
of their dead.
Jime 22. — The Marquis of Harrington, lord lieutenant of
Ireland, landed in Cork.
Oct. 23. — ^The first market jury was sworn in Cork, by John
Eeilly, mayor.
JVov. 1. — A violent shock of an earthquake was felt in Cork,
at thirty-six minutes past nine o'clock in the morning, but did
no injury.
May. 29. — War was declared in this city against France. 175&
July 8. — This day, the greater part of the crew of the city of 1758
Cork privateer, then at Cove, confined their officers to the cabin,
and having embarked in a lighter which had brought provisions
for their use, they endeavoured to get ashore, but some on board
who were well affected to the owners, made a signal of distress
to a man of war, that lay near them, the crew of which manned
the long boat and pursued the mutineers; a few shots were fired
on both sides, which being perceived by those on board the man
of war, they loaded two of their great guns with small shot and
fired at the lighter, killed two men, and womided some others,
after which they succeeded in taking the remainder prisoners.
Sept. 2. — Captain Cole's vessel foundered under the Giant's
stairs.
The well known Admiral Saunders landed at Cork, and went 1759
to the theatre, where he was received with the highest demon-
strations of popular applause.
March 16. — The city sheriffs, with the sub- corporations,
consisting of the master and wardens of the respective trades,
assembled at the lough of Cork, elegantly mounted on horseback,
where they formed according to seniority, and rode several miles
out of town to meet John Swete the mayor, who was then on his
138 ' CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. return from Dublin, where he had been some time, in
consequence ol an order from the snpeilor court relative to
quarterage.
July 5. — General Folliot's regiment, (commonly called the
Royal Irish) encamped at Balliphehane, and did not break up
until the 17th October following. The city militia did duty in
their absence.
Aug. IG. — Illuminations for Prince Ferdinand's victory at
Minden.
Sept. 15. — The same for admiral Boscawen's defeating the
French fleet under the command of M. de la Clue ; and also for
defeating the French at Niasjara.
25 §' 26. — ^The mayor, sheriffs, masters and wardens of the
several trades, perambulated the city franchises,
Oct. 26. — Illuminations for the taking of Quebec.
Dec. 9 — The same for admiral Hawkes' defeating M. Conflans
the French admiral.
1760 July 21 — The new Theatre in George's street was opened.
JsTov. 4 — George III was proclaimed king in Cork. The
Royal Scotch, Handsyde's, and Bagshaw's regiments lined the
streets, whilst the mayor, corporation, and city regalia attended
by lieutenant governor Molesworth, paraded the town.
25. — Illuminations for the king of Prussia defeating Marshal
Daun near Torgau.
Dec. 25. — One of the galleries of the South Chapel fell down,
by which three persons had their legs broken.
1761 An act was passed this year, which, after reciting, that there
were then only two public avenues to Cork, and that same were
narrow and inconvenient, provides for the building of a stone
bridge, not exceeding in hreadth twenty-six feet, from the quay
opposite Prince's-street to the northern or opposite part of
Lavit's island, and another from the southern part of said island
to the Red Abbey marsh, of the same breadth, with a draw bridge
in its centre; this act also provides for supplying said city with
water.
£4000 was granted to the mayor, sheriffs, &.c. towards
clearing and improving the channel of the river Lee, from the
Custom-house to Blackrock.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 139
March 31. — A shock of an earthquake was felt at Cork and A.D,
itinsale, especially between the gates of the former town, it con-
tinued about a minute, undulating from east to west, and vice
versa, and in six hours after, near low water, the tide rose
suddenly at Kinsale about two feet higher than it was, and ebbed
away in the space of four minutes with great force, which was
repeated several times, but the first time it rose highest.
June 18 & 19. — There was constant thunder and lightning,
attended with very heavy rain. On the 18th, a bull and two
cows in the south liberties were struck dead by the lightning,
which on the 19th appeared more violent, and without inteiiBis-
sion from one till six in the evening, but did not do much
mischief. At Donnybrook, the seat of the Rev. Boyle Davies,
a large beam, which supported a floor over the cellar, was split
so wide, that a twenty-four pound ball might have been put into
the chasm. There was not the least thunder or rain at Bandon
or Kinsale.
22. — Illuminations for taking Bellisle.
July 7. — King George the II's statue was erected on Tuckey's
bridge.
Sept. 15. — Illuminations for queen Charlotte's arrival in
England ; several sky rockets were thrown from the balcony of
the Exchange, by captain Cowley.
22. — Illuminations for the king and queen's coronation, Sea-
bright's and Owen's regiments fired on the malL
Oct. 4. — The wooden bridge adjoining the north weir fell
down, by which a woman and a boy were unfortunately drowned.
Jan. 19. — War was declared in Cork against Spain. 17G2
June 6. — There was a dreadful, fire in Cat-lane, which con-
sumed 150 houses.
20. — Prayers for rain were offered up in all the churches.
This was a remarkably dry summer, there not being a drop of
rain for thirteen weeks previous to this day.
Andrew Franklin, the mayor of this city, obliged a sergeant
and twelve men to mount guard regularly every day at his house
in Cove-lane, during the last three months he remained in office;
he was opposed by Colonel Molesworth, lieutenant-governor of
140 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. p. tliis city ; but the mayor, who was an upright worthy spirited
magistrate, soon humbled the miUtary jurisdiction, shewed his
prerogative as chief magistrate of the second city in the kingdom,
and left an example to his successors, not unworthy of imitation.
17G3 An act was passed for continuing and amending certain statutes
for the better regulation of this city, licensing hackney coaches,
regulating the sale of coals, erecting lamps, establishing a court of
conscience, ascertaining the price of bread, securing the quays
with walls or iron rails, &c.
April 4. — Peace was proclaimed in Cork between England,
France, Spain, and Portugal, The night concluded with ringing
of bells, bonfires, illuminations, &;c.
May 9. — The workmen began to clear the channel of the
river in order to build the new wall.
June 23. — One side of the North Main-street was begun to be
flagged.
July 31. — Prayers for fair weather were offered up in all the
churches in Cork; it being the wettest summer ever remembered.
1764 Feb. 20. — A crowd of people began to dig for money near the
new barrack.
April 15 — A great number of fellows were at this time in the
habit of assembling in Hammond's fields near Blarney, every
Sunday evening, many of them armed with swords, &.c. in open
contempt of inagistracy, where they divided themselves into two
parties in order of battle, and generally maintained a running
fight for several hours, in which some of both parties seldom
failed of getting broken heads ; from thence some of their
leaders after their evening's diversion, used to remove the scene
of action to the city, and continue rioting the remainder of the
night. Before the beginning of the previous war, when knocking
down, street robberies and sometimes murders were so frequent
here, that the inhabitants were afraid to stir outside their doors
after night-fall, it was in those same fields that the ruffians
assembled.
29 — The fellows who assembled this evening according to the
sabbath-day custom in Hammond's fields, takhig advantage of
the army being from town, diverted themselves by throwing the
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 141
centinels' boxes about tlie streets and insultina; every defenceless A. D.
17('4
person they met. The magazine was broken open the same night.
May 1. — Two parties of fellows consisting chiefly of those
that had been rioting on the 29th, had a battle about the i\Iay-
bush, in which several of them were very much hurt, and one
died of his wounds.
May 10. — A sloop arrived in this city from Middleton, with
several statues, to be erected at Blarney Castle, four of which
were of exquisite workmanship. They had been formerly the
property of the duke of Ormond, and had been brought to
Kilkenny by colonel Broderick.
14 — Nineteen master barbers were convicted at the quarter
sessions, of exercising the functions of their trade on the Lord's
day, and ordered to pay a crown fine for each offence. One of
them was found guilty of shaving three persons at a half-penny
each, for which he was fined three crowns. They were however
excused from paying the fines, upon promising not to offend again
in a similar manner.
24 — The earls of Shclburne and Dunmore were presented with
the freedom of this city in silver boxes.
June 1 . — A dreadfid fire broke out in Mallow, by which a
great number of houses were consumed.
4. — Being the anniversary of the birth of our most gracious
sovereign, who then entered on the 27th year of his age, the
morning was ushered in by ringing of bells, and in the evening
the Exchange and Noble's coffee-house were illuminated.
15. — About six o'clock this morning, a corporal, eight private
men, and a constable of the north quarter, who were escorting
two prisoners into the city from Blackpool, where they had been
apprehended, were desperately attacked by a number of fellows
while passing through Mallow-lane, who pelted them with stones,
and attempted to rescue the prisoners. The soldiers after several
ineffectual efforts to make them desist, were compelled at length
for their own preservation to fire at them, by which two men were
killed. This put an end to the affair, the rest having dispersed,
and the soldiers conducted their prisoners safe to the main-guard,
from which they were conveyed to the city gaol.
142 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Sept. 22. — The wooden centre at the Red-abbey bridge being
finished, it was opened for passengers, and the same day being the
anniversary of their majesties' coronation, tlie troops on duty here
marched thither, and fired three voUies in honour of the day.
This bridge opened a short passage from the South Mall to Cove-
lane.
29. — The anniversary of the surrender of this city to king
William the third was ushered in with ringing of bells ; in the
afternoon the mayor and corporation went in procession to Christ
church, and the evening was concluded, with bonfires and illumi-
nations.
17G5 An act was passed this year for re-building the bridge over the
Black-water at Cappoquin, towards defraying the expenses of
which, the lord lieutenant and council were empowered to raise
any sum not exceeding £600, out of the counties of Waterford,
Cork, Kerry and Tipperary, and the counties of the cities of
Waterford and Cork.
£4000 was granted to the members of the county, city, and of the
several boroughs in the comity of Cork, or any five of them, to be
applied towards re-building and repairing the bridges, which were
destroyed or damaged by the late extraordinary floods in the
county.
An act was passed, whereby, after reciting the act passed in 1761,
for building bridges from Prince"s-strcet to Lavit's island, and
from said island to the Red Abbey marsh, and also reciting that
it had been found that it would be more useful to the inhabitants
of Cork, that a draw bridge or portcullis should be made in the
place, where the former was appointed to be built, the mayor,
sheriffs and commonalty of Cork were empowered to take down
said bridge, and build in the place of it a turn or draw bridge or'
portcullis bridge, and also to build a stone bridge of three arches,
in the place where the portcullis bridge had been appointed to be
built by said act of 1761, namely from Lavit's island to the Red
Abbey marsh.
£50 annually was granted to each of the infirmaries in this
city.
March — JMary Burke, commonly called Sterling Molly, and
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 143
Tobias Burke, her son, were sentenced to be executed for the A.D.
, • 1 1765
murder of John Geary, by setting a mastiff at hmi, who tore
several parts of his flesh in pieces : the sentence was afterwards
changed to transportation for life.
August. — This month the lough of Cork was partly drained,
18. — There was a desperate battle this evening between the
rioters of the north suburbs,
31, — The Red Head Galley, commanded by captain Richard
Ncale, arrived with sixty French families on board.
The celebrated Doctor Tuscano, who is mentioned in Mr,
Fitz-Adam's World, vol, 3, No, 115, exhibited himself on a
stage in the middle of the street, opposite the Exchange of this
city, where he dealt out his nosti-ums to such as stood in need of
his assistance.
Sept. 2. — The corporation voted the sum of fifty pounds to
each of the sheriffs, for the piu'chase of a piece of plate, to be
engraved with the arms of the city, and to be inscribed " The
gift of the mayor, sheriffs, and commonalty, to each of them the
said sheriffs, for his good services done to the city during his
sheriffship."
19. — The post office was removed from Bruce's street on
Dunscombc's marsh, to Watergate lane (or Hanover street) near
Christ church, in the house of Mr. Loane, the post master.
Oct. 18. — A mob consisting of several hvmdreds of butchers,
weavers, &;c. armed with hatchets, cleavers, long knives, and
sticks, went through the city and visited several of the merchant's
cellars, in search of meat and other provisions, which it had been
reported were cellared up for exportation ; they found little besides
some empty hampers of which they made a bonfire on Mall isle,
supposing they were designed for transporting provisions in. They
were put down by the military, headed by the city sheriffs, who
apprehended seven of the most forward of them, and committed
them to the city gaol, but soon afterwards liberated them.
Three pair of palisade gates and stone piers for the church-yard
of St. Finn Barry's were advertized for.
Oct. 20. — Several linen and cotton gowns were burnt on the
backs of the wearers, by being sprinkled with aqua-fortis, with
144 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A_. p. the mischievous intention of preventing the increase of the hnen
manufacture.
Oct. 23 — In consequence of the scarcity of provisions, the
mayor gave notice that if any should be shipped in this city or
harbour for exportation, he would cause the same to be unladen,
and sold in the public market.
There was a great scarcity of half-pence at this time.
1766 The freedom of the city was presented in Dublin in a gold box
to the earl of Hertford, lord lieutenant of Ireland, with an address
from the mayor, sheriffs and common council.
Feb. Q — A man employed by archdeacon Browne at upper
Glanmire to watch tithe potatoes, was abused in a most inhuman
manner, the following night his house was set on fire.
The rivers, loughs and canals being frozen, there was much
skaiting.
8. — The frost began to thaw.
24. — A company of the 26th regiment marched to Cloyne,
where it was reported the white boys had committed some
outrages, a company of the royal Scotch were also ordered from
Kinsale.
A gentleman walked for a wager from Cork to Youghal and
back in sixteen hours and a half.
May 1. — This day passed off without any disturbance around
the May bush ; a rare circumstance and much to the credit of the
people for refraining from such scandalous practices.
5. — The corporation voted an address of thanks to the lord
lieutenant, for a quantity of wheat imported from England, and
sold at a low rate to the poor, (at the loss of government) in con-
sequence of a representation of the distresses of the poor of this
city, made by John Hely Hutchinson, M.P. for Cork; thanks
were at the same time voted to Mr. Hutchinson.
18. — Some boys paddling in a pool near Parliament bridge,
discovered the body of a new born infant.
June 4. — Bemg the king's birth day, the morning was ushered
in by ringing of bells ; at noon the 63d regiment fired three
volleys on the mall. In the evening the Exchange and steeple
of St. Anne's Shandon were illuminated, and the night concluded
with bonfires, and other demonstrations of joy.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 145
A number of silver coins were found on the lands of Bally- A. p.
martle near Kinsale, with inscriptions resembling eastern
characters.
June 11. — Afire destroyed 14 thatched cabins in Eathcormac.
13. — Lieutenant-general Boscawen reviewed in a field near
the Lough, the 26th, 44th, and 63d regiments of foot.
16. — Bartholemew Leary was convicted of cutting down, and
stealing grass out of a field, for which he was sentenced to be
whipt from north gate to Lavit's buildings, and afterwards from
south gate to the gallows, and round same, wdth a bundle of grass
hanging under his neck.
23. — The corporation granted fifty pounds, towards furthering
the improvement of the Red house walk.
The ferry boat, plying on the river Blackwater, near Castle
Hyde, was overset with seven persons on board, five of whom
were drowned. The others saved themselves by holding a cable
which extended across the river.
30. — £100 in addition to his salary was voted by the Court of
D'oyer hundred to the mayor, for his eminent services.
July 23. — x\ subscription was raised for improving the Red
house walk.
Sept. 10. — A tailor of the name of Patrick Redmond, was
executed at Gallows Green, for robbing the dwelling house of
John Griffin. Glover the player who was then in Cork, took an
active part in this man's restoration, after he had hung nine
minutes and was cut down, he was perfectly restored to life by the
dint of friction and fumigation; he afterwards made his escape,
got drunk, went to the play house door the night of his execution
to return Mr. Glover thanks, and put the whole audience in terror
and consternation. He was the third tailor that made his escape
from the gallows since the year 1755.
15. — A fire broke out in a thatched cabin in the south liberties
between Bandon road and Saint Finn Barrys, there being at the
tinie a strong S. W. wind, the flames were communicated to
several others, by which seventy-three were consumed to ashes,
and 300 people reduced to the utmost want.
25. — The mayor, sheriffs, Sec. attended by the city regalia,
146 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. and a band of music went down to the harbours mouth, to assert
the ancient rights of this city by throwing a dart, pursuant to a
charter granted in the reign of king John.
29. — Being the anniversary of the surrender of this city to king
William III, the morning was ushered in by the ringing of bells;
in the forenoon the mayor and corporation walked in procession
to St. Mary's Shandon Church; and in the evening there were
bonfires and illuminations.
Oct. 1 — The mayor, sheriffs and common council unanimously
voted the freedom of this city to colonel Charles Hotham of
the 63d regiment of foot, and to Edmund Burke, Esq. both
English members of parliament, also to Thomas Carew, Esq. one
of the members for the borough of Dungarvan, and to John
Butler, Esq. of the castle of Dublin.
JVoy. 5. — Being the anniversary of the deliverance from the
gunpowder plot, the day was kept by ringing of bells, illumina-
tions, and bonfires.
18. — It blew a most violent storm at S. W. with thunder and
heavy rain, by which several houses were unroofed, and numbers
of chimneys blown down.
28. — His royal highness the prince de Monsereda, while on
his travels through Europe, on board the Delight, was by contrary
winds forced to put into Castle-Townsend in this county, where
he was treated with every mark of respect and distinction suitable
to his dignity, and received all the entertainment the place could
aflTord.
This day the mayor, sheriffs, and common council, made an
order in council, that a premium of two shillings the quarter, be
paid on the first 3000 quarters of wheat that should be imported
into this city from foreign parts, from the 1st of February to the
1st of May next,
Dec. — A dangerous foot-pad at this time infested the roads
between Kinsale and Bandon.
J7g7 The sum of £2000 was granted towards the improvement of
the river from the custom-house quay to Blackrock. The sum
of £640 was also granted to Samuel Beale, Robert Stevelly,
John Litchfield, Mary Simmons, and Thomas Beeby, to corapen-
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 147
sate for the loss of sjoods which had been manufactured in Dublin, A. D.
and had been destroyed when on their way to Cork by a riotous
mob ; and the sum of £1500 was granted to the mayor, sheriffs,
and common council, to be laid out in clearing and widening a
passage called Browne's hill in this city, and in purchasing
certain houses adjoining thereto for said purpose, and in lowering
the hill.
Jan. 2. — There was a severe frost, and much skaiting on the
lough.
The city was infested with robbers at this time.
8. — A poor labouring man died near the ovens at the age of
127 years, he walked a short time before he died four miles
without the help of a stick or crutch, could see without spectacles,
retained his senses and appetite to the last, and was followed to
the grave by his descendants to the seventh generation.
12. — The frost continued and with such severity, that the poor
tradesmen and manufacturers were entirely idle, not being able to
follow their occupations. For want of something better to do,
many resorted to the lough to amuse themselves by skaiting.
13. — The frost began to thaw. For tlie time it continued it
was supposed to have been as severe as that in 1739, but no
material damage was caused to the country.
14. — A poor lame woman fell down near Damat's bridge where
the passage was very slippery, by which she was so much hurt
that she expired. Several other persons were also hurt by falling
in the streets.
17. — The frost set in again with great severity. The roads
were almost impassable. The snow was seven or eight feet deep.
Feb. 3. — A watch was established in three parts of this city,
one in Castle street, one out of south, and one out of north gate,
for the purpose of preventing robberies which of late had become
frequent.
6. — This evening a fire was discovered in Christ church,
occasioned by some hot embers falling on the floor of the vestry-
room, which burned through and communicated itself to an
apartment under it, it was however easily extinguished without
much damage.
148 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. p. Feb. 19. — Two houses in Cove which were built on a rising
ground next the sea were entirely destroyed, the bank on which
they were built being undermined by the rapidity of the current.
In one of the houses, a girl, who was asleep in a settle bed, was
buried eight or ten feet deep in the sand and rubbish, where she
remained till the next day, when she was released from her
gloomy prison without having received the least injury.
A house near Fermoy was blown down the same night, by which
two women were killed.
23. — There were great floods in the rivers which did consider-
able damage in various places ; a horse which had been brought
down from Carrigrohane by the current, was found dead at the
weir back of Reily's marsh.
March 2. — Thirty journeymen tailors went in a body to Cove
in order to embark for England, on account of the badness of
trade and dearncss of provisions.
7. — The great cock match between Richard Longfield of Castle
Mary, in the coimty of Cork, and Burton, of Burton-hall,
in the county of Carlow, ended, and was won by the latter.
14. — A large collection was made in Saint Peter's parish for
improving the Red-house walk.
19. — The nightly watch which had been kept for some time
in this city was discontinued.
April 1 8, — Jeremiah Twomey was executed at Gallows Green
for robbing the dwelling-house of Johanna Norton, at Crosses
Green. Her husband was so ill-treated the night of the robbery
that he died in some time after. Twomey was convicted of the
robbery alone. The general opinion was that he died innocent,
in consequence of which the mob brought him from the gallows,
in his coffin to the prosecutor's door, where they bled him, took
the rope off his neck, threw it into the window, besmeared the
door and window shuts with his blood, whilst showers of stones
were pelted at the windows from every quarter; during this time
Mrs. Norton resolutely defended her house, threw the rope into
the south river, and fired several shots at the mob, no person was
however hurt ; a party of soldiers soon came to her assistance,
some of whom were left as a guard all night at the house. On
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 149
the following day, as the executioner was passing through the ^_-P-
Main-street, he was attacked by the popvdace, who followed him
a mile out of town, pelting him with sticks and stones by which
he was desperately wounded ; he was brought on a car by the
sheriffs to the South Infirmary. What more particularly exasper-
ated the mob against him, was his having stripped Twomey's
shoes off while the body was hanging, claiming them as a
perquisite of his reputable profession.
May 3. — A complaint was made in one of the Cork Newspa-
pers, of fifty French vessels fishing for mackerel on the coast
near Bantry-bay without interruption from the revenue-cruizers.
Subscribers were served at their houses with the Cork Chronicle
newspaper, (which was published twice a week) at 5s. 5d. per
annum, or by the single paper at one half-penny each, in addi-
tion to which, a Mercury was given every Saturday when the
English mails arrived.
11. — The applotment of the lamp tax was concluded.
13. — A schooner was upset in the river opposite merchant's
quay.
Jlug. — The new mayoralty-house was finished; it was projected
by Davies Dukart, and executed by Charles Sweeny, carpenter,
and Edmond Flaherty, mason. James Chatterton, Esq. was the
first mayor who inhabited this Mansion-house. The foundation
stone was laid on the 17th day of June, 1764.
Sept. 19. — Phelix M'Carthy, baker, was fined £50 and im-
prisoned for three months, for offering a bribe to Samuel Maylor,
the mayor of Cork; he was convicted before Prime Sergeant Hely
Hutchinson, in the city court.
Oct. 8. — There was a prodigious flood and spring tide. A
boat plied for some time in the North Main-street.
Nov. 8. — Several men being assembled in the kitchen of a
public-house neai* Christ church to drink j ill, three officers named
Gordon, Thompson, and Travers, heated with liquor, entered
with swords drawn. The people, terrified, hid themselves under
the tables and in various parts of the house ; one man however, a
tailor, named Patrick Connor, was found, and stabbed in the
breast. The mayor and sheriffs eudeavom'ed to discover the
aggressors, but in vain. p
150 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Nov 9. — The weia;ht of the six-penny loaf in Cork was
6rb 12oz. 4Jis.
14. — A gentleman walked eiglit plantation miles for a wager
OH the new part of the Red-house walk, in an hour and fifty-
eight minutes.
30. — The prohibition of the exportation of potatoes was taken off
by order of the lord lieutenant.
Dec. 23. — A statue of the Earl of Chatliain was put up in the
Mansion-house. It was executed by Mr. Wilton, and cost £500,
31.— Lorenzo Nixon, comptroller of the Barrack board, was
presented with his freedom in a silver box by the corporation.
1.7G8 Jan. 11. — There had been for some days the greatest fall of
snow which had been known for forty years. In some places it
was six feet high. The horse of a gentleman, who was riding
from Bandon, sunk in it so deep, that three or four men were
employed to dig him out with spades and shovels.
Feb. 8. — The royal family was first prayed for in the Roman
Catholic chapels in Cork.
March 3. — The committee appointed by the house of commons
for the better regulation of trades, &c., was empowered to receive
a clause to prevent fraud in the manufacture of wares and mer-
chandizes, and to regulate quarterage in this and every other city
and town corporate in the kingdom.
24. — A dinner was given by the county representatives to
200 gentlemen freeholders. In the evening there was a large
bonfire, and several barrels of beer were distributed amongst
the populace.
28. — A presentment was put in for removing all the projecting
signs and sign-posts, which had been erected in the several
streets and lanes of the city to the annoyance of the inhabitants.
April 11. — The several corporations in this city resolved to
collect quarterage and regulate trade, as was formerly done
conformable to law, though of late neglected here; for which
purpose, some of them elected masters and wardens for the
ensuing year.
As there were no lamps in the city at this time, it was proposed
to fix a light at the old draw-bridge to prevent accidents.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 151
^ipr'il 12 — This day, Richard Tonson was ushered into the town A.. D.
of Youghal, by a great number of the free and independent voters,
with colours flying, guns firing, music, and every other demon-
stration of joy, for his timely assistance in the support of free-
dom and independence in their corporation. On the following
day, at a dinner which was given, the toasts were expressive of
exultation at their deliverance from the domineering influence of
some private proprietor.
Some rappary villians destroyed all the numbered mile-stones
from Doneraile to Farrihy.
23. — The fishermen of Kinsale, with many others, assembled
and broke open a cellar in this town, which contained 250 bags
of wheat for transportation, and by the vigilant conduct of the
magistrates, it was carried to the public granary, to be disposed
of for the public.
At a late hour this night, two officex-s of the 53d regiment, on
being repeatedly refused admission into the house on which they
were billeted in Mallow-lane, attempted to make good their quarters,
and broke some of the windows : while thus engaged, a number
of fellows, unconcerned in the affair, assaulted them most violently,
and desperately wounded one of them by a stroke with some sharp
edged instrument, by which his skull was severely cut, buj;
not fractured. The other officer, having been several times
knocked down, escaped without a wound. While the wounded
man was lying on the ground, he perceived a person coming
towards him, of whom he requested assistance; but the fellow^
after viewing him attentively, gave him three or four kicks
and went off.
28. — For some weeks past a great number of idle vagabonds
had annoyed the city by assembling in different parts of the
suburbs on the sabbath day, for the purpose of cutting and
hacking, not only one another, but any of the inhabitants who
might fall in their way. Several pitched battles were appointed
to be fought by these gentry about the May-pole.
Maij 12. — A house was taken in Paul street for a bank which
was then about to be established by independent gentlemen of this
county, whose united fortunes amounted to £500,000. This was
Tonson's bank.
152 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. May 19 — The friends of St. John Jeffreys esq. met at the town
of Blarney, to testify their satisfaction at his being appointed
governor of the city of Cork, an honour long enjoyed by his an-
cestors, and which they filletl "with great dignity and applause."
23. — Rioting had arrived to such a height in the city, that it
was supposed that if proper steps were not speedily taken, it would
be unsafe for the inhabitants to walk in the streets, as the lawless
vagabonds who engaged in such riots were most abandoned
wretches, who scnipled not to commit any villainy. A number
of these gentry assembled in a most riotous manner in Shandon
church yard this evening, but were dispersed upon one of them
being shot dead, whether by one of the rioters or by one of the
annoyed inhabitants, it was uncertain. There were likewise
rioting and unlawful assemblies in other parts of the city, on this
and the following day, in which several of the rioters were
wounded, and innocent people insulted and abused.
Jitne 27. — The new road from this city to Blarney, part of the
Kanturk Turnpike, was opened and made passable for carriages :
in three miles this road was nearly three quarters of a mile shorter
than the former one.
July 1. — Being the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne,
"about a dozen fellows (to use the language of a Cork Newspaper)
paraded the city with M'hite lilies in their hats, to exhibit their
dislike of the above memorable event, but were soon dispersed
by some gentlemen who gave them a good caning. An ignorant
little fribble who exhibited himself in Paul-street and Brown -
street, with his bosom thus decorated, narrowly escaped a severe
discipline, from which nothing but his insignificancy could have
protected him."
4. — The freedom of the city was presented in a silver box
to Captain Luciiis O'Brien, of his majesty's ship Solbay.
13. — A number of tradesmen of this city, the number of letters
in whose christian names amoimted to forty-five, met at a public-
house two miles and one hundred and forty-five yards from thence,
where they spent forty-five pence each, and each drank exactly
forty-five glasses of punch, which produced forty- five toasts and
sentiments, including the glorious memory and a praj-er against
despotic rulers.
CORK UEMEMBRANCER. 153
Juhi 11. — A nvimbor of seamen, belonging to the merchant A.D.
ships iu the harbour, having turned out lor an advance ot wages,
paraded round the streets and quays with music playing, and a flag
flying before them.
22.— This day the town clerk waited on the honorable Richard
Barry, the honorable Arthur Barry, and the honorable John
Smith Barr}'^, and presented eachof them with the freedom of this
city in an elegant chased silver box.
24. — Prayers for fair weather were oftered up in all the
churches.
August 1. — Tonson's bank was opened,
15" — The corporation presented the right honorable colonel
Isaac Barre, one of the vice treasurers of Ireland, with his freedom
of the city of Cork in a silver box.
Sept. 8. — Hennessy's salt house on Cold harbour was acci-
dentally blown up with powder: his son and maid servant
imfortunately lost their lives.
Feb. 1 1 . — There was a dreadful fire on the Coal quay adjoining 17C9
the Custom house.
March 5. — Sunday, there was a desperate battle at Parkmore,
between the rabble of Fair lane and Blackpool.
.April 9. — There was a remarkably high tide with the wind
south east ; the water rose so high, as to overflow several houses
in different parts of the city.
June 3. — George, lord viscount Townsend, lord lieutenant of
Ireland, arrived in this city, and dined with the coqjoration at
the mayoralty house on the 4th.
Sept. 1. — A meeting of the Atlantic society, took place at the
castle of Hahine in the harbour of Castlehaven.
5 — The recorder, on the part of the corporation, having read an
address to the lord lieutenant upon his arrival in Cork, expressive
of their confidence in his administration, his excellency was pleased
to answer, that the general welfare of Ireland, and the duty he
owed his majesty, of course directed his utmost attention to this
important and interesting scat of commerce.
10. — Being Sunday, the lord lieutenant went to Christ church:
ho sat in the bishop's throne, and the bishop sat at the conuiiuniou
table.
154 CORK REMEMBRANCER,
AD. ig^jj 17 — pjig excellency went down the river, took a view of
the harbour, and afterwards dined with the lord bishop of Cork
and Ross. His excellency gave a benefaction of £50 to each of
the infirmaries of this city.
Oct. 23. — A linen weaver of the name of Stafford, was shot
dead by one of the soldiers who was conducting him to gaol; he
was charged with felony under a committal from the chief
magistrate, when he fled from justice and leaped across the Mar-
dyke river. The army pursued him, but there being no possibility
of overtaking him, he was shot at the opposite side of the river,
Oct. 23. — The anniversary of the Irish rebelhon was observed
in the usual manner.
25. — The anniversaiy of the accession of our gracious sovereign
to the throne was observed with every demonstration of joy.
jVov. 1 — There was a concert and a ball at the assembly rooms,
the profits of which were disposed of towards planting the Red-
house walk.
4 k 5. — The anniversaries of the birth of king William the
III, and the deliverance from the gunpowder plot were observed
with the usual demonstration of joy.
13. — Hugh Milerd, one of the aldermen of this city, waited
on the right honorable Sir George Macai'tney, at his apartment in
the castle of Dublin, with the freedom of this city in a silver
box, and an address from the mayor, sheriffs, and common
council of Cork.
Dec. 31. — Rioting had become so common in this city, that it
was not safe for any person to stand at his door without some
weapon of defence, a most glaring instance of which appeared
this evening : four peaceable persons near the Exchange (two of
whom were women,) were insulted, cut, and beaten by one Mat
Reily, a journeyman saddler, a most notorious offender who
came up to them severally, armed with a knife, hammer, and
stick, and used them as above, for no other reason than bidding
him go about his business. Informations were immediately
lodged against him, and a parish constable took him prisoner;
he afterwards rescued himself, and nearly murdered the constable,
but he was subsefpicutly retaken.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 155
Jan. 18. — 13eiiig the queen's birth day, the regiments in gar- ■^jj^-
rison fired three volleys on the Mall; and the evening concluded
with bonfires, and illuminations, and every other demonstration
of joy.
22. — ^The lord lieutenant ordered by proclamation, that no
horned cattle, or hides of homed cattle, either raw or salted, be
landed in any port in this kingdom, and that all hay and straw
imported in packages or otherwise, be burnt or destroyed, until
further orders to the contrary.
26. — A young gentleman ran round the Lough of this city for
a considerable wager, six times, in 30 minutes and a half, which
is computed as upwards of four English miles.
Feb. 4. — This day, to the disgrace of Christianity and breach
of the Lord's day, auumber of grown fellows assembled in different
parts of this city, to partake of that cruel amusement of throwing at
cocks, which it was expected would continue till Shrove-tide.
13. — A notorious highway robber, known by the name of
Thunder, who had been the terror of this county for a considerable
time past, was shot in endeavouring to escape, having been taken
at a place within two miles of Mallow, where he was surrounded
by a number of gentlemen ; his body was brought to this city for
a public example.
17. — A great storm arose this evening, the wind at north west,
which continued the whole night and the following day, by which
several chimneys and signs were blown down, houses unroofed
and greater damage done than had been known for many years.
March 5. — The lord lieutenant oi-dered the removal of the
powder magazine from Skiddy's castle.
April 16. — The anniversary of the battle of CuUoden was
observed here by the ringing of bells, bonfires, illuminations and
every demonstration of joy.
23. — Two persons of the name of Poole and Hendley, who
belonged to the 55th regiment, then quartered in Castle Island,
applied to the Rev. Thomas Shughuerue the parish priest, to marry
one of them to a girl in that town, which he peremptorily refused.
Being provoked with a denial to so unreasonable a demand, the
intended bridegroom stabbed him in so unmerciful a manner as
to leave no hopes of his recovery.
156 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. Lord Kingston directed by his will, that an alms-house should
be built at Mitchelstown for twelve poor decayed gentlemen and
twelve poor decayed gentlewomen, with apartments for a chaplain,
and bequeathed a sum not exceeding £5000 to be laid out
thereon, and in finishing the chapel, begun at the same place by
his lordship.
May 7. — Colonel James Gisborne w^as appointed governor of
his majesty's town of Kinsale and Charles-fort, in the room of
the earl of Drogheda,
June 4. — The sovereign and corporation of Kinsale, according
to their annual custom, rode through the franchises. The same
day being the anniversary of his majesty's birth, the army fired
three volleys. The town was brilliantly illuminated, and in
several parts of it there were bonfires and other demonstrations
of joy.
G. — Five carmen, on their way to Limerick, were stopped on
the road near Whitechurch by fifty men or thereabouts, and one
of the carts, being laden with English drapery, was immediately
unpacked: a piece of rug was cut in small pieces, and the rest of
the goods to a considerable amount, carried off.
7. — For two months past there were upwards of 300 sail of
French fishing vessels, some of them of two hundred tons, on the
western coasts of this kingdom, where they met with great
success in the mackerel fishery, which it was thought was the
cause of the great scarcity of fish which was then experienced,
by the poor in particular.
11. — Some inhuman savages forcibly took a bull in the north
suburbs, and after having driven him through the city with dogs,
had him baited in the south suburbs for some hours, when the
tormented creature ran from "their carnage" back into the city,
which obliged the inhabitants to shut up their shops, and put an end
to all business : the bull being unable to proceed farther than Broad
lane, was there and near the Exchange baited by dogs, and their
brother brutes armed with sticks, for near five hours ; and after
having frightened four pregnant women into fits, tossed a horse
nearly as high as a sign-post, threw a decrepid beggar and a
standing of stockings into the kennel, gave up the remains of his
CORK PvEMEMBRANCEK. 157
tortured life in a narrow lane, much to the disappointment of his A. p.
savage persecutors and to the loss of Jiis owner. There was a
similar practice of baiting bulls through the town of Dublin :
In a newspaper of Nov. 20, 1 749, we findthe following paragraph,
"Several persons were committed to Newgate for taking bulls
from poor countrymen and driving them mad about the streets
of Dublin, to the great detriment of their owners, and the hazard
of the lives of the inhabitants of that city.''
20. — There was a fire at Hammond's fields, by which six
cabins were consumed.
July 1. — The anniversary of the battle of the Boyne was
observed with the usual demonstrations of joy.
26. — The sum of twenty guineas was given to the printers of
the Hibernian chronicle, to be lent free of interest to poor trades-
men, at a guinea each, to be repaid at six pence halfpenny per
week.
Aug, 12. — The birth day of the prince of Wales was observed
here with eveiy demonstration of joy.
14. — Some goods, which were bringing to woollen drapers in
this city from Dublin, were met in the suburbs by a mob who cut
and destroyed two pieces.
About 12 o'clock this night began one of the heaviest showers
of rain ever remembered, which continued for three hours with
such violence that a boat could float in some of the streets, there
was likewise a great fall of rain on the 15th. It is remarkable
that at the time of the shower on the preceding night, there was
not a drop of rain within two miles of this city on the north
side.
Sep. 20.— There were at this time lurking in many parts of
this city a set of nocturnal villians, who were every night employed
in bi-eaking open stables.
22. T— The anniversary of his majesty's coronation, was ushered
in with ringing of bells. At noon the regiments in garrison fired
three volleys on the Mall.
Oct. 3. — There was a very hot press at Cove, when several
able seainen belonging to the merchantmen there and at Passage
were impressed.
158 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
^P' A stack of chimneys of enormous size fell through the printing
office of the Hibernian Chronicle newspaper office, broke three
floors, and very much injured the printing materials,
25. — The anniversary of his majesty's accession to the throne,
was observed here by the ringing of bells, 8cc.
Mov. 4. — Being the anniversary of the birth of king William,
and the following day that of the gunpowder plot, both were
observed with the usual demonstrations of joy.
5, — A Newfoundland vessel laden with fish, bound for Water-
ford, was attempted to be boarded off our harbour by a press boat,
but the passengers and crew making resistance, they were fired
upon by the press gang, and five of them were wounded, one of
whom afterwards died at Youghal : however the pi'ess boat thought
proper to sheer off, and the vessel landed her crew and wounded
men at Dungarvan.
22. — Since lamps had been given up in this city a number of
persons were drowned, who in all probability might have been
saved if that useful and well appointed mode of lighting the streets
had been continued.
Dec. 3. — In the newspaper of this day appeared the following
paragraph, "The lovers of hvunanity and justice wish that some
method may be taken to prevent the savage amusement of bull
baiting, particularly in a city so much resorted to by foreigners
who must look on us as an uncivilized people, devoid of humanity.
This morning a tormented beast was beaten through the Main
street. Castle-street, quays, &c. for a considerable time, to the
terror of the inhabitants ; a man was thrown by the bull against
a car, and narrowly escaped being killed. If some stop is not
speedily put to this barbarous practice, the country people will be
deterred from bringing their bulls to market, as they are generally
forced from them, contrary to justice, by those wicked miscreants."
18. — Two field pieces and four covered waggons laden with
gunpowder, ammunition, and camp equipage, arrived in this city
from Dublin.
1771 Ja7i. 31. — Commodore Knight, in the Ramilies of 90 guns,
with the Defence of 74, Centaur 74, Ajax 74, Ripou 64, and
Sokbay of 28 guns, arrived in our harbour.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 159
Feb. 6. — A man was soAerely wliipt from Woodhill to Lota, A. D.
•^ ^ 1771
for stealing trees.
March 7. — 'The rendezvous houses in this city were shut up,
and the gangs dismissed.
July 21. — A dreadful fire broke out this night in the house of the
earl of Barrymore, which consumed that elegant edifice with all
the out offices. It was said to have cost near £40,000.
Aug. 20. — A large body of weavers assembled in Paul street
in order to take a man from the employment of ]\Ir. Sexton, in
Paul's alley, to punish him for working contraiy to their rules,
and meeting with a cart-load of camblets belonging to Mr. Sexton,
they were in the act of destroying them, when sheriff Lucas,
accidentally passing by, dispersed them all to the number of 200,
without doing much mischief. They however gave the sheriff
gi'oss language, and one of them took his sword from him, with
which he made off, but was pursued by the sheriff, who soon
seized him and committed him to gaol.
A great number of bad quarter guineas, and forged half-crowns
were in circulation.
Sept. 24. — A man was discovered this night walking upon the
tops of the houses opposite St. Peter's church, which greatly
alarmed the whole neighbourhood, and though the most diligent
search was made for his apprehension he got off undiscovered.
26. — The public were cautioned in a Cork paper of this date,
as the long nights were approaching, to be careful how they passed
over the old drawbridge after dusk, it being so old and out of
repair as to be unable to be turned into its proper place.
30. — The ancient custom of throwing bran was observ'ed here
with the greatest profusion upon the installation of the mayor and
sheriffs. This custom originated as an emblem of plenty, and for
the purpose of animating succeeding magistrates with zeal to the
service of the citizens.
Oct. 7. — Orders were sent to Cork and Kinsale, immediately
to provide quarters for six regiments of foot, to be quartered
there for the greater convenience of embarkation.
12. — On this night and the following day there were violent
storms and heavy rain, by which a tree was torn up on the Mardyke
walk, and the weirs near Sunday's well considerably damaged.
160 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. JVov. 6. — A party of mariners beat up for volunteers in this
1771 . ^ ^
city.
Dec. 7. — There was a very high tide ; all the houses on
Dunscombe's marsh, Tuckey's quay, Hammond's marsh, and
many in the Main street, had the lower parts filled with water ;
no material damage however occuri'ed thereby.
The same morning much injury was sustained in Youghal, boats
were driven into the streets, a snow broke from her moorings,
several houses on the quay were very much flooded with water,
and in some instances it came into the persons' beds.
12. — The side of an uninhabited house, opposite the bandle-
cloth market, fell into the river.
There was at this time a society in this city called the Free-
debating society, which met at the assembly rooms : amongst the
subjects discussed were included questions of merely local interest,
relating to the improvement of this city. Henry Sheares, esq.
was president of it at this time.
20. — At a meeting of several respectable gentlemen of this city
at the music hall in Tuckey street, it was resolved, that a free
debating society should be held every evening at 7 o'clock at said
room, every person paying a British six-pence; the profits arising
therefrom to be disposed of in charity as the society should
think fit; that ladies be admitted to the gallery only, on payment
of the same sum. This was a distinct society from that above
mentioned.
1772 The new springing bridge was erected where the old draw-
bridge was.
An act was passed, whereby, after reciting that it was impossible
for the mayor and sheriffs of Cork to hold a court of record as
regularly as same ought to be held for the benefit of the suitors
therein, in consequence of their time being engaged with the
other duties of their respective offices, the recorder or deputy-
recorder of the city, provided he was a barrister, was empowered
to hold said court of record in the absence of the mayor and
sheriffs, and the mayor, sheriffs, recorder or deputy recorder as
they should happen respectively to be sitting, were empowered to
adjourn the court from day to day, or to any day they pleased, for
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 161
the dispatch of bushacss, this coiut being held but once a week ^jP-
before,
Jan. 11. — A number of men this evening with their faces
blackened, and armed with hangers, bludgeons, Sec. entered the
shop of a respectable citizen, a woollen draper, near North bridge,
where they behaved in a most riotous and cruel manner, put out
the candles, broke his shop windows in pieces, and cut, spoiled
and carried off large quantities of his goods. No reason could be
assigned for this outrage but that he sold English and Dublin
goods.
13. — White's Munster academy was first opened.
15. — Some carts, on their way to this city with goods, were
attacked near Dublin-hill by a number of misguided people, who
by throwing great quantities of stones, obliged several of the
owners who were escorting them to fly and leave the goods to
their examination, which," after opening a box or two, they
suffered to pass.
Feh. 24. — About three o'clock this morning, the house of
Thomas Hungerford, esquire, and the king's stores at Glandore,
were attacked by a great number of armed men, in order to rescue
a cargo of tobacco ; they weie however beaten off by Mr.
Hungerford, assisted by a party from the Thunderbolt cutter.
Several of the persons who made the attack were wounded.
The poor were reduced to the greatest indigence from the
severity of the weather.
William Hull, esquire, was appointed lieutenant-governor of
Cork, with an additional salary of ten shillings per day, in room
of St. John Jeffreys, esquire, who was appointed one of the
commissioners of accounts.
March 1 . — A man was killed in an affray this night at the
height of Newgate, i. e. the upper part of Mallow-lane.
8. — One of the centinels at Soiithgatc was knocked down by
three desperadoes, who, were it not for the noise of passen-
gers approaching, would have thrown him over the bridge, but
dread of apprehension made them run off. The evening of the
same day (to use the words of the newspaper,) was concluded in a
most pious and devout manner by the warlike sons and daughters
162 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A_. p. of Fair lane and Blackpool, who met in a long field near Fair hill
and fought with one another till night came on. The females
were armed plentifully with stones, and the male combatants
according to the Chewkee custom, with tomohawks of a new con-
struction, which were about four feet long, and so dexterously
contrived (having a hook and spear at the end) that any who
missed grappling were sure to stab with the sharp point.
Mar. 12. — Orders were sent over to Ireland to make a draught
of 20 men from each regiment in that kingdom, who were to
march with all expedition forKinsale, to embark for Quebec.
April 1 — Four men destroyed a sloop near the old drawbridge :
she had a loom on board of a new construction which had been
brought from Dublin.
5. — The Fair lane and Blarney lane combatants met at Park-
more, according to weekly custom, and after an engagement of
some hours, one Keily received a stab from a tomohawk by which
he was instantly killed, and many on both sides were
wounded.
May 1. — Two men were killed in a riot between the same
people, who renewed the fight after the interment of the de-
ceased men on Sunday the 3d : on the following day they were
going to hang a Blackpool man, when he was rescued by the
army.
June 4. — Being the king's birth day, the morning was ushered
in by the ringing of bells, at noon the army fired three volleys, and
the night concluded with bonfires and illuminations.
Mr. James Adair, who had returned a short time before from
the warlike English Chickesah nation, a tribe of Indians residing
near the river Mississipi, arrived in this city. He was the only
trader with that nation then alive, had been 36 years amongst the
Indians, and had written essays on the origin, language, religion,
&c. of the Indians in general, his business here was in conse-
quence of the following circumstances ; being in London a few
weeks before he arrived here, he was persuaded by a sharper, who
went by the name of captain Redmond Magra, to let him have
his manuscripts to shew lord Camden, Mr. Burke, Mr. Wilkes,
and others, and promised faithfully to deliver them afterwards to
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 163
a printer for publication; but instead of doing so, he eloped to A. .D
Dublin and from thence to this city, whither he was pursued by the
author, and secured on the 8th of June at his lodgings near the
old drawbridge; and the production of many years laborious study
was thus recovered by the owner.
June 10, — The 27th and 28th regiments were reviewed at
Evergreen by lord Drogheda ; on the following day he reviewed
the 50th regiment in the same place.
27. — Two journeymen coopers were wliipt from south to north
gaol (pursuant to an act passed the previous session of parlia-
ment) for refusing to work.
July 1. — The anniversary of the battle of the Boyne was
observed here with the usual demonstrations of joy.
12. — John Connor, alias Jack the Bachelor, the notorious
smuggler, for whose apprehension the government had offered a
large reward, was this day seen by some soldiers at an ale house
near the Exchange in this city, and would have been taken if the
soldiers had been aided by a party of the main-guard, which they
applied for, but could not procure without an order from a magis-
trate ; in the mean time the fellov/ escaped.
Aug. 1. — The army in garrison fired three volleys on the Mall,
and the day was observed with other demonstrations of joy.
6. — A meeting of the citizens was called for the 17th Instant
at the Bed House walk, to consider of legal methods to free them-
selves from the payment of the new tax for lamp and watch money.
12. — Being the prince of Wales's birth day, the army in gar-
rison fired three volleys on the Mall, and the day was observed
with other public demonstrations of joy.
Sept. 29. — Being the anniversary of the surrender of Cork to
king William, was observed as a day of rejoicing.
Oct. 5. — In a Cork newspaper of this date appears the following
paragraph: — "Several of the inhabitants, who live near the
Exchange, present their most respectful compliments to the
new sheriffs, and pray them to remove a most flagrant nuisance
from before their doors, that of a breeches market held there
every Wednesday and Saturday, to the great annoyance of pas-
sengers, and highly indiscreet, as overgrown fellows are
164 CORK REMEMBRANCER,
A.D. frequently fitted with small clothes, in view of the females who
1772 ,
pass by.
Oct. l7 — The assizes ended in this city, and proving a maiden
one, the sheriffs presented the judge with an elegant pair of white
gloves, curiously fringed with gold. The reason for the assizes
taking place this month, instead of in August as was usual, was in
consequence of the county court-house having been rebuilt
during the Summer.
23. — The anniversary of the Irish rebellion was observed
here in the usual manner.
30. — As one Lewis Leaiy, was returning about eight o'clock to
his lodgings opposite Shuttle-row, Hammond's-marsh, having
missed the little bridge in consequence of the darkness of the night,
he fell into the channel and was drowned.
JVbf. 5. — The anniversary of the deliverance from the gun-
powder plot was observed here with public demonstrations of
joy.
23. — About two o'clock this day the smi was nearly eclipsed
by a large cloud from the west, so as to cause nearly a total darkness
for about two minutes : some persons in this city imagined they
felt a slight shock of an earthquake at the same time.
At this time instances of persons being robbed on the roads
adjacent to this city occurred nightly.
Jan. 1 4. — Five men who had been apprehended a few days
before for highway robbery, murder, and other misdemeanors, and
had been commited to Mallow bridewell, attempted to escape by
taking off their bolts and endeavouring to force their way out; one
of them wounded the turnkey with a knife, another struck the
bridewell keeper's wife a violent blow with a bolt, yet notwith-
standing, the turnkey with great bravery soon compelled them to
suffer themselves to be secured.
18. — The prisoners who had endeavoured to escape from the
Mallow Bridewell were conducted to this city under a strong
escort, accompanied by several justices of the peace, who lod-
ged them safely in the common gaol in this city.
The same day being the queen's birth day, the regiments in
garrison fired three volleys on Morrison's island.
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
165
Jan. 18. — The prisoners in the city gaol attempted to make A.D.
their escape by cutting a square out of one of the iron windows ; but
in striving which should get out first, they were heard by the
gaoler and secured.
22. — One Walsh a dairyman, was set upon by five men near
the Watercourse in the north suburbs of this city, who cut \\\n\
and abused him grossly, and robbed him of eleven guineas and
a half.
29. — A child was found near Peter's church bridge.
Feb. 4. — The corporation of the city of Dublin unanimously
presented the freedom of their guild to Adam Newman, alderman
of Cork, in a silver box, for his spirited conduct as a magistrate in
protecting the trade and manufactures of Ireland.
8. — Mr. Nixon, the keeper of a hardware shop in this city,
having been frequently robbed of valuable articles, detected the
thief by means of a gin rat-trap, which he placed under a glass
case, with a pair of buckles as a bait. The thief paying him a
visit as usual was caught fast by the fingers in the trap, on which
he was secured, committed to gaol, and this day convicted of the
crime, and sentenced to be whipped three market days,
23. — On this and the previous day there was a violent storm at
S. W. which blew down some chimneys and damaged several
houses. About one o'clock at noon a great part of a wall 20 feet
high, on the right hand side of the Sunday's well road was blown
down from the foundation, and with the force of the fall the
opposite wall was broken.
28. — Some evil minded persons broke almost every lamp
outside South gate.
May 1. — The boat of a Norway vessel was overset by a squall
of w^ind in lough Mahon, and two sailors were drowned.
An affray took place between a townsman and a soldier, when
the former cut off the soldier's nose, and on being pursued the
following day, threw himself out of a window, by which his leg
and arm were broken.
June 2. — The 34th and 40th regiments of foot were reviewed
in a large field near the lough, as also the C5th regiment of foot at
the Red-house walk by general Pierson.
Q
166 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A-D. June 4. — Being the king's birth -clay, was observed here with
the usual demonstrations of joy.
25. — John and James St. Clare of Blarney, factors, were
committed to the county gaol by Robert Gordon, the one for
embezzling twenty-one hanks of purged yarn, and the other for
interrupting Mr. Gordon in the execution of his office, by heading
a large party of weavers' boys, and a possce of idlers who were
repeatedly desired to disperse, but in vain. James St. Clare
presented a large musket heavily loaded with slugs at Mr. Gordon,
who, though unarmed, very resolutely and judiciously found means
to close on him and take him prisoner, and with the assistance of
an old faithful soldier who was watchman of the bleach-green,
he conveyed both the delinquents, amidst the clamorous uproar of
hundreds, to Monard, from which place an escort of the military
conveyed them to Cork.
June 26. — This night at about eleven o'clock, the watchman in
charge of the north square was attacked by several villains, armed
with knives and sticks, who knocked him down and cut him
desperately.
Juhj 1. — In commemoration of this day, the Boyne society
assembled at the Tliolsel, attended by an elegant band of music,
from which they proceeded in regular order to Christ church.
Aug. 14, — About one o'clock this morning a fire broke out
among some thatched houses on the Evergreen road, five of
which were consumed.
Sept. 30. — For several nights past a strong party of the military
did duty at the city gaol, in consequence of a report having been
circulated that two women who had been sentenced to be hanged
and burnt for the murder of a butcher in a Fair-lane riot, intended
to make their escape, assisted by the Fair-Line mob, which it was
said, intended to make an attack on the gaol for that purpose.
Dec. 16. — For the last two nights there were the highest tides
known for several years, with heavy rain and high winds. The
water was several feet high in most of the houses on the marshes,
and some of the streets were impassable.
1774 ■^'^^- 12. — Early this morning Mr. Daniel M'Carthy, sub-sheriiff
of the county of Cork, and a party of the 28th regiment,
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 167
commanded by Mr. King, attacked the fortification and entrench- A. D.
1774
ments of Pratt and his forces at Kihaish, who were lodged in the
county gaol on the 1 3th.
Feb. 26. — A party of gentlemen, among whom was the rev.
Emanuel Moore, pursued a number of persons this night, who had
forcibly carried off a young woman in the neighbourhood of
Clonakilty. Several shots were fired on both sides, by which an
old woman who was in the house where the pursued had taken
shelter, and the reverend Mr. Moore, were killed.
March 13. — About fifty lamps were broken this night in
Blarney-lane, in consequence of their not having been lighted.
Simon Sullivan, a Roman Catholic, being convicted of carrying
arms, was sentenced to be imprisoned tor twelve months and
fined £50.
May 7. — A chimney near Skiddy's castle took fire, but
providentially the flames were prevented from communicating to
the magazine, otherwise the city might have been reduced to a
heap of ruins.
23. — The 28th and 34th regiments were reviewed at the camp-
field by the right honorable lord Blayncy. The day was very wet.
30. — A deserter who was confined in the city gaol for burglary,
broke out and made his escape.
June 17. — The society for the relief and discharge of persons
confined for small debts, was founded by Henry Sheares, esq.
26. — A man was committed to North gaol, (under the provisions
of an act to prevent chalking, which had been passed but a few
days before,) for cutting a man in Fair-lane.
July 1. — Being the anniversary of the Boync, in the morning
the bells rang incessantly, and at noon the members of the Boyne
society walked in their uniforms to Christ church, from whence
they returned to the council-chamber where an elegant entertain-
ment was provided. The evening concluded with bonfires and
other marks of festivity.
3. — During the interment of a corpse in St. Fin Barry's church-
yard, a young woman, decently dressed, was detected picking a
gentleman's pocket which he soon discovered, and on examining
her, found no less than seven handkerchiefs upon her, which
168 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. were restored to the owners. The populace afterwards set the
1771 . . ,
culprit in the stocks, where they threw several things at her, till
it was thought she received sufficcnt punishment for such
practices.
J^nly 31. — Before daybreak, one Dorney, an opulent farmer
who lived near Carrigaline, desired his M'ife (of whom it was
supposed he was jealous,) to go to his father's house and
bring him from thence a box. Tlie wife objected and reasoned
with her husband about the lateness of the hour ; however he
was inflexible in his command, upon which she requested that
her son (a boy of about eleven years of age) should accompany
her. When they had quitted the house Dorney got up and locked
the door, he then got a knife, went to the bed where his three
daughters lay, one of six years, one of tln-ee years, and one of
■nine months old, took the clothes off from under and over them to
prevent them being stained with blood, and then, with a cruelty
shocking to relate, ripped them up in sucli a manner that their
intestines came out ; he afterwards cut their throats, and then lay
down on the same bed with them. About seven o'clock his wife
and son returned, the former of whom finding the door locked,
called aloud to her husband to open it, and to let them in, to which
he answered "call the neighbours and break open the door, for
there is a show in the house." Accordingly the door was broken
open, when they found the cruel father lying at the side of the
thi'ee murdered innocents; he had a few slight scars about his
body, which might hav-e been occasioned by the struggling of the
eldest child, several cuts having appeared upon her little hands ;
but it was the opinion of some that he gave them to himself in
order to pretend insanity. This treble murderer was committed
to the south gaol on Tuesday the 9ch of August and shortly after
died, by which he escaped the penalty of the gallows.
J\/ov. i. — Being the anniversary of the birth of king William
the III, and the following day that of the gtmpowder plot, both
were observed with the usual demonstrations of joy.
23. — One Daniel Carty, who had been confined in the city gaol
for felony, contrived to escape through the north window over
the arch, by cutting the window bars, and letting himself down
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
169
liv a rope. The ceutiuel, in the hurry and confusion, seized an ^_-J^-
innocent person ^vhoul he took for the felon, and ni the mean
time the other escaped,
Dec. 28, — One Richard Cashman, a butcher, of Bdliymacoda
near Castlemartyr, who had been married but three months to a
young woman of most irreproachable character and conduct,
about twelve o'clock this night, rose ont of bed from his wife, and
requested her mother who lived with him to go to an adjoining
house, where his brother-in-law slept, alleging that he had some
charges to make against her daughter, which he should do ia
private. The poor woman immediately complied, and was no
sooner gone outside the door, than he returned to his chamber and
instantly stabbed her with ■dcouiccai de chase, and whilst she was
struggling for life, furiously seized her by the throat to prevent
her cries, and gave her a second stab in her right breast, which
put a period to her existence. Her aunt who also lived with
them, was awakened by the noise, and her mother having returned
upon the alarm, they both rushed into the room, when he made a
stroke of a sword at the former which hit the door case and thus
luckily missed her. He then proceeded to his step father's, who
lived about a mile distant, told him of the murder he had com-
mitted, gave him his watch and four guineas and a half, and
requested he would go and see if his wife was dead, which the
man promised to do. In his absence Cashman several times
attempted to stab himself with the sword, but was prevented by
some persons who were in the house, which so aggravated him,
that he immediately ran to a neighbouring well and plunged him-
self into eternity.
Jim. 21. — Between six and seven o'clock this evening as 1775
James St. John Jeffreys of Blarney, was riding in his post chaise
on the South Mall, the horses, in consequence of some misman-
agement of the postillion, and the parapet wall being in a ruinous-
condition, drove into the river at high water. The coachman,
who rude after the carriage, observing the danger of his master,
inmiediately jumped into the river, broke open the carriage
window, took out Mr. Jeffreys, and swam safe with him to shore,
and afterwards went to the assistance of the postillion, whom
170 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. he was also instrumental in saving: the horse was however
drowned.
Jan 25— During a violent storm at S. W. which did considerable
damage, a large breach was made in the road to Sunday's-well
by part of the rock giving way. Providentially no persons were
passing at the time, otherwise they would have been flung down
an immense precipice and dashed to pieces.
Feb. 26. — A soldier, one of the drafts who lately arrived here,
was set upon by some inhuman blood-thirsty persons, who
stabbed him in several parts of his body as he was passing quietly
through the Main-street.
March 2. — The public was cautioned in a Cork paper, to
be careful in passing at night from Broad-lane to Fishamble-lane
through Cross-street, as the slip near the little bridge was quite
out of repair, and several persons within the last few nights had
fallen into the river, owing to its niinous state.
Two puncheons of rum were seized by Mr. Cramer, jun. at
Oyster-haven from smugglers, who at first beat him off with
stones. He went however to the foil at Kinsale, where he obtained
a party of the army, returned to the smugglers whom he surprised
at the Old-head, and brought the rum to the custom house of
Kinsale.
18 cwt. of leaf tobacco was seized by Mr. Potter and his
men near Enniskean, when a great mob arose and stoned him and
his party in so violent a manner as obliged him in his own defence
to fire upon them, by whichtwo of the smugglers were killed, and
another was dangerously wounded ; upon this the smugglers de-
sisted, and the tobacco was brought off and lodged in the custom
house of Kinsale.
May 20. — Between twelve and one o'clock this night John
and David Nagle, of Fair-lane, and the wife of the latter, attacked
Daniel Sullivan a butcher, who lived in the same house with them,
and so barbarously cut and mangled him that he died on the spot.
A woman died near Clonakilty, aged 115 years, who, two days
before her decease, spvm 12 hanks of linen thread.
June 4. — Being the king's birth day, the same was observed
by ringing of bells, and the following day the 11th and 62d
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 171
regiments of foot were drawn up on the Mall, when they fired three A. D .
1775
volleys in honor of the same, the former day having been Sunday.
June 4. — Prayers were offered in all the churches for rain.
6. — A fire broke out this night in a house in Fair-lane, which
burnt with great violence for some hours, whereby between 20
and 30 cabins were consumed.
July 1. — Being the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne,
the members of the Boyne Society walked in procession to Christ
church, after which they returned to the council chamber, where
a plentiful entertainment was provided for them.
x^ug 12 — Being the anniversary of the Prince of Wales's birth-
day, the regiments in garrison here were drawn out on the Mall,
and fired three volleys each, in honor of the same.
24 — A soldier of the 1 1 th regiment belonging to the main-guard,
was found in court-lane with the sinews of his right leg cut, by
which he was maimed in a manner shocking to humanity; it was
found afterwards that he committed this horrid deed on himself
with a razor, with a view to get out of the regiment, and be con-
sidered worthy of a pension.
Sept. 26. — A great number of armed villains at Watergrass-
hill, burned a large quantity of blankets, wliich were intended for
the troops then about to go to America.
Oct. 23. — Being the anniversary of the Irish rebellion, the
mayor, sheriffs, with the city regalia, went in their formalities to
Christ church. The evening concluded with ringing of bells,
bonfires, &c.
25. — Being the anniversary of his majesty's accession to the
throne, the army in garrison fired three volleys in honor of the day.
JVov. 11. — A number of villains attacked the house of a Mr.
Fowey at Glanmire, and forcibly entered the same. They then
with the greatest barbarity put him and his wife on the lire to
confess where their money lay, which happening to be but a few
guineas, they brought a horse, which they had stolen, to the door,
and yoked him to a car, which they loaded with beds, chairs,
tables, &c. and carried off in triumph.
Dec. — A second door was built to the South gaol, in order to
separate the debtors from the criminals.
172 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Dec. 10. — Maior fjeneral Robert Cunninarbam, arrived in town
1775 JO o 7
to succeed the late lord Blayney, as major general of tbis provinccj
his lordship having died in this city on the 13th of November.
16. — A woman fell over the quay at the end of Skiddy's castle
lane, but by timely assistance was saved.
22. — About seven o'clock this night the marquis of Rocking-
ham transport, from Portsmouth, with three companies of the
32d regiment and their baggage on board, besides women and
children, was in a heavy gale of wind driven into Roberts's cove,
and at three the following morning was dashed to pieces on the
rocks, and every soul on board perished, except three officers and
about thirty privates and two of the crew. The officers who
jDerished were lieutenant Marsh and ensign Sandiman, besides
the wives of lieutenant Marsh and Dr. Barker. The officers
saved were captain Glover, lieutenants Booth and Carter, andt'ie
doctor's mate. 'Tis impossible to paint the distress of the officers
and soldiers who were saved, the greatest part of whom being
cast on the rocks had their flesh torn in a shocking manner, and
instead of receiving the least assistance from the inhabitants,
were attacked by a great number of the common people, who
carried off every article that could be saved out of the wreck.
1776 Jan. 6. — His majesty's ship Bristol, 50 guns, commanded by
Sir Peter Parker, arrived in Cove, as convoy to the troops bound
to America, then imder the command of lord Cornwallis.
18. — The house of Miss Mary Kennedy, in Mallow-lane, was
broken into by four persons armed, who forcibly took her out of
bed, and carried her off, with intent (as it was supposed) to marry
her to one of the party.
18. — A ship arrived in Kinsale from Boston, with the corps of
officers of the 59th regiment, whose number had exceeded their
rank and fde, which latter were drafted into other regiments,
and the officers were sent to recruit their full complement in
England.
25. — A boat coming from one of the transports at Cove, was
overset in a gale of wind, by which three soldiers, three women,
and some boatmen were drowned.
31. — The Dublin post which should have arrived the 29Lh,
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 173
did not come in till one o'clock this day, on account of the great A. D.
fall of snow which rendered the roads almost impassable.
Jan. 31 — All the vessels in this harbom* of 150 tons and upwards
that could be procured, were taken up as transports for the
service of government.
In consequence of a practice of persons firing at sea-gulls oxi
Sullivan's quay and Morrison's island, four persons walking on
the South Mall were wounded, and many windows were broken.
May 4.— Nathaniel Whitmore, a soldier of the 1 1th regiment,
was executed at Gallows-green, pursuant to his sentence, for the
murder of John Hawkins a corporal in said regiment, by stabbing
him with his bayonet. His coffin, which was handsomely orna-
mented, was carried before him with napkins by four young men,
and a number of the Blue Coat hospital boys attended, who sang
as he went to execution. When he came to the fatal tree, he
ascended the ladder with great serenity of mhid, declared that
he was so intoxicated with liquor when he had committed the
murder, that he was insensible of his crime ; he gave out several
psalms, and joined in singing with a numerous concom'se, who
attended till it was time to make atonement for the blood he had
shed. When he had hung thirty-five minutes he was cut down, and
his head severed from his body, which were both delivered to his
friends for interment. He was a young man about 23 years old,
of the middle size, and of remarkably good character.
June 4. — Being the king's birth-day, the 19th regiment fired
three volleys on the Mall.
10. — A Avoman who had been onboard an East Indiaman then
in this harbour, refusing to be searched by the revenue officers,
was carried on board the quarantine vessel that lay near them,
where she was obliged to strip to her shift, inside which she had
a piece of handkerchiefs, which were immediately seized, to the
poor woman's mortification, it being her all. Decency caused
some persons present to direct that she should be accommodated
with a private place to put on her clothes, in consequence of which
she was ordered into the cabin, in which was a locker, where the
different seizures, consisting of muslins, silks, &c. of consider-
able value, had been deposited ; the key having remained in the
174 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A_.I). locker, she closed the door, and helped herself plentifully with
the seizures, which she packed up in quantities, by way of reprisal,
and left the ship.
July 27. — His excellency the lord lieutenant came by water
from Drumanagh, in the county of Waterford, the seat of lord
Villiers, and landed at Youghal, from which he went to Castle-
martyr, the seat of the earl of Shannon, where he dined on the
28th, and on the following day at Rostellan, the seat of the
earl of Inchiquin. On the same day the mayor, sheriffs, and
town clerk of this city waited on his excellency to invite him in
the name of the corporation to this city, which his excellency
politely declined.
u4itg. — At this time the small pox was very fatal in Cork.
Wandesford's bridge was begun to be built : Mr. Samuel
Ilobbs, master builder, superintended this work, and completely
carried it into execution.
Se^t. 30. — This evening a child fell into the river from the
waste ground, opposite the main-guard, but providentially was
soon taken up.
Oct. 28. — This night between 11 and 12 o'clock, four malicious
villains came into the Main street up Boland's lane, one of whom
fired a musket loaded with shot, at the centinel on duty at the
main -guard.
Nov. 4. — Being the anniversary of the birth of king William
the III, the morning was ushered in with ringing of bells; at noon
the 19th regiment was drawn out, and fired three volleys; and the
evening concluded with every demonstration of joy.
__ Dec. 13 — The public fast, which had been ordered by govern-
ment for the recovery of his majesty, was observed here. The
mayor, sheiiffs, recorder, and town clerk, in their fur gowns,
attended by a great number of the army and a vast concourse of
the most respectable citizens, walked in procession to Christ
church, preceded by the sword bearer, water bailiff, serjeants at
mace, city constables, &.c. The church was very much crowded,
as were all the other churches in the city. The greatest good
order and regularity was observed throughout the whole city, and
no shops were opened for the day, nor labour carried on.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 175
Jan. 1. — The house of industry was opened, when 16 beggars A_._D.
were taken in, most of whom entered voluntarily.
Feb. 2. — Between three and four o'clock this morning, a chim-
ney took fire in Brown's lane, within nine houses of the magazine:
it burned furiously for upwards of two hours ; the blaze could be
seen four feet above the chimney,
18. — Richard Townsend, John Townsend, Samuel Jervois and
Daniel Callaghan, magistrates, with several gentlemen of the
county and their servants, well mounted and armed, set out at
two o'clock in the morning to the mountains above Bantry, in
the neighbourhood of Murdering glin and Glaunbannoul, where
they apprehended several persons, charged with cutting off the
ears of a horse.
March 25. — This day was tried at the Guild-hall before a
special jury, a record, on a writ of mnndamus directed to the
mayor, sheriffs, and common council of this city, to admit
Richard Fitton, eldest son of Mr. Burgess Fitton,to the freedom of
this city, he claiming to be entitled during the life of his father;
when after a hearing of nine hours, the jury brought in a verdict
for I'itton, with £5 damages and costs of suit, by which it was
determined that every eldest son of a freeman is entitled to be
admitted free of this city, upon his attaining the age of twenty-
one years. It was supposed if he had lived, he woiUd have
established a similar right in younger sons.
April. — Mr. Sergeant Carleton presided in the county court
in the room of Baron Power, who was taken ill with the gout
after his arrival in Cork.
May — A great number of precious stones were dug up in a
limestone quarry on the Blackrock road ; some amethysts were
likewise found. The populace resorted there in such numbers to
profit by the discovery, that the proprietor was obliged to procure
a military guard to prevent their depredations.
5. — This day one Connell was whipped for begging after having
been discharged on bail.
June 4. — Being the king's birth-day, was kept in the usual
manner.
22. — A number of persons residing in Leitrim and Blackpool
176 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A._r>. assemldocl on Devonshire's marsh for the purpose of rioting. Mr.
lloss one of the high constables, aided by some gentlemen obliged
them to disperse, but not however before one of them had been
severely beaten by some of the rioters.
Sept. 1 1 . — This day the mayor, with the city regalia, and a
number of military gentlemen, went from the Exchange toTuckey
street, where the new guard-house was to be erected, when his
worship laid the foundation stone thereof: on this occasion the
army were drawn out and fired three volleys.
Oct. 30 — The tide rose to an unusual height in Kinsale, owing
(as was supposed) to a water quake, as the swell was so great on
the offing (though the wind was northerly and the weather fair,)
that the fishermen were obliged to come into harbour.
JVov. 4. — The Boyne society, were for the first time reviewed
by colonel Bagwell, in White's Bowling green.
1778 Jan. 25. — The west India fleet, consisting of 64 ships, sailed
from Cove with a fair wind : they were convoyed by his majesty's
ship the Torbay 7 1 guns, and the Camel sloop.
Feh. 18. — An order of council, which granted 300 guineas out
of the corporation revenues, towards a subscription for raising
troops for his majesty's service, was this day confirmed in a court
of D'Oyr hundred, by which vvas anticipated the determination of
the judges of England, as to the legality of raising troops without
the consent of parliament.
27. — This day being the day fixed by the lord lieutenant
and privy council for a public fast and humiliation, to implore
the Divine blessing on the British arms, and to pray for a
termination of the American rebellion ; the mayo«', aldermen,
burgesses, with the city regalia, attended by the gentlemen of the
Boyne society in their uniforms, with an elegant band of music
playing "long live the king" went in grand procession to Clirist
church.
March 12. — A mob assembled in this city and its suburbs,
under pretence of searching for provisions, alledged to have been
intended for exportation to the north of Ireland, and destroyed
a great deal of property, breaking the doors and windows of several
of the merchants warehouses, and cutting down the masts, and
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 17
177S
destroying the rigging of ships. During the riot some shots were A- J)
fired which killed two men and wounded several.
April V2. — (Sunday). The Lord Chief Baron Dennis, one of
the judges of assize went to Christ church, preceded hy the boys
of the Blue-coat hospital, and followed hy the different societies
of this city, which formed the following grand procession : —
The mayor, dressed in the uniform of the Culloden society, of
Avhich he was colonel. The sheriffs, aldermen, clergy, sword
bearer, with the city regalia. The True-blue society, uniform blue,
faced with blue and edged with white. The Boyne society, imi-
form blue edged with buff, buff waistcoats and breeches. The
Aughrim, uniform scarlet, white edging. The Cork Union,
uniform scarlet faced with green, buff waistcoats and breeches'
and green cockades. The Culloden, uniform blue faced with
scarlet, bull waistcoats and breeches. They were all regularly
divided into light infantry, grenadier, and battalion companies,
the officers wearing swords and epaulets, and dressed suitably.
The number of the entire was near three hundred, and made a
most respectable appearance. They returned in like manner,
but were very much incommoded, by the vast concourse of
spectators.
June 4. — Being the king's birth day, the troops and armed
societies fired on the ]\Iall. In the evening the populace were
liberally supplied with beer, and the night concluded with ringing
of bells, bqufires, illuminations, and every other demonstration of
joy-
8. — A general embargo, was laid on all ships in this harbour,
except colliers.
9* — An encampment was made at Kinsale, which was continued
until the 10th of November.
30. — One Hickie escaped from the south gaol, by cutting down
through the different floors till he came to the entiy of the prison,
through which he ran ; but having been seen by a soldier of the
3d regiment, who pursued him into Grafton's alley, he was there
taken.
Juhj 1 Sc 12. — Were kept in the usual manner.
July 13. — The True Blue and Boyne societies were re-
178 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A..D viewed at the camp-field at Ballyphehane by the earl of
1778
Ibhannon,
Sep. 7. — This was the first general field-day of all the armed
societies belonging to this city.
SejJt. 24. — The west India fleet, consisting of above 40 ships,
sailed from Cove, under convoy of the Winchelsea and Lynx, men
of war.
Sej}. 29 — Eoman catholics being pennitted to take long leases,
several of that body attended at the city court house and testified
their allegiance.
All the sign-posts in this city were taken down, pursuant to act
of parliament.
Oct. 8. — The mayor issued a proclamation, stating that he
would put the laws for the observance of the sabbath strictly in
force, in consequence of many persons presuming to exercise and
follow their trade on the sabbath day, particularly barbers, and
hairdressers; and in consequence of several publicans suffering idle
disorderly persons to continue drinking and tipling in their houses;
and also many persons exposing for sale greens, fruit and other
wares, during the time of divine service.
iVbw 21. — One Chapman a butcher, was attacked by three foot-
pads on Wandesford's bridge, near Crosses green, who cut him in
a desperate manner, and robbed him of what money he had.
Dec. 2. — A boat very heavily laden, and containing 20 pas-
sengers, was overset near Passage, and every person in it drowned
except one man.
1779 Jan. 1. — The first fancy ball introduced into this city by lady
Fitzgerald.
Feb. 20. — Upon the arrival of the news of the honorable
acquittal of admiral Keppel, who had been tried by a court-
martial for neglect of duty, the bells were set ringing and continued
all the next day, (Sunday). On Monday the True Blue, Boyne,
Aughrim, and the Union armed societies fired three volleys on
the Mall, and afterwards gave three cheers ; at night the whole
town was grandly illuminated, bonfires blazed, and the evening
concluded with eveiy demonstration of joy. In Macroom the
houses were illuminated, every street blazed with bonfires, and
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 179
the effi<TV of Sir Huirh Palliscr, tlic admiral who had brouj^ht the A. D.
. . . 177'J
charge against him, was burned by a chimney-sweep, after having
been suspended from a gallows all the day.
March 17. — Being the anniversary of the patron saint of this
kingdom, the morning was ushered in by the ringing of bells.
At noon the different armed societies assembled in several parts
of the city and suburbs, where they went through their different
military evolutions, he. The Boyne society had a sham-battle at
Douglas, and disputed the possession of the bridge.
May 3. — There were several showers of hail, succeeded by a
heavy fall of snow. The weather had been remarkably cold and
severe for some time before.
9. — "A likely young volunteer" entered on board the Tender,
then in our harbour, to serve as a sailor ; but some suspicions
arising as to his sex, a female examiner was procured, and the
young hero proved to be a lady of some distinction in this kingdom,
who had an \\n'iovi\x\\?Lte penchant for her father's butler, whom
she hoped to find on board this ship ; the man, to avoid an
elopement with her, had prudently quitted his master's service
some time before, and had actually sailed with the last impressed
men from this city to Portsmouth. However the runaway suffei'ed
the mortification of a disappointment, and was taken proper care
of till her parents received intelligence of her detection.
21. — A new theatre was opened in Henry-street near the
Mansion house.
June\. — This morning about nine o'clock, serjeant Christy of
the 81st regiment arrived at Glanmire bridge, after performing on
foot a journey of one hundred miles in twenty-four hours.
Being the king's birth-day, the morning was ushered in by the
ringing of bells, at ten o'clock the different armed societies were
reviewed in the camp-field; at noon they and the 8 1st or Highland
regiment assembled on the Mall and fired three rounds. About
three o'clock an express arrived to the commanding officer here,
from major-general Flower Mocher then at Kinsale, ordering the
Highland regiment to be ready to march at the shortest notice, as
the general had received a letter, stating that a fleet, consisting
of several ships of the line and a great number of frigates and
180 CORK REMEMBRANCEll.
A.D. transports, supposed to be French, was seen in Bantry bay. This
communication threw the inliabitants into the greatest consterna-
tion. The commanders of the armed societies immediately
ordered their drums to beat to arms, and in a very short space of
time, the entire body collected again on the Mall. At seven in
the evening, another express arrived from General Mocher,
ordering the Highlanders to march immediately to Bandon, where
he would join them with his forces from Kinsale, and repair from
thence to Bantry: this order was immediately complied with.
A great mmiber of Roman Catholic gentlemen immediately offered
themselves as volunteers to join with their Protestant fellow-
citizens, and were well received. The care of the city in the mean
time devolved on the governor. The mayorsummoned a council, to
consider what was necessary to be done on so alarming an occasion.
The gentlemen of the True Blue society immediately took the
guard, and " kept the police" in the greatest regularity for that
night. Early on the following morning the Highland regiment
returned to town, having received counter orders, as the express
sent to Bantry had returned with an account that the alarm was
groundless; the fleet having been found to be an English one
which had fired several gmis in honor of the day. The lower
classes of the people between this and Bandon shewed their good
wishes to the soldiers on their march, by offering them every
provision their poor but hospitable cabins afforded. All the
troops in Kinsale, consisting of upwards of 2000 men, marched
to Bandon and lay all night under arms.
18. — A cooper of the name of Morrogh, made his escape out
of the North gaol by means of a false key. Three other criminals
went off at the same time.
July 26. — A strong battery was finished at Spike island,
consisting of 21 twenty-four pounders, which commanded the en-
trance of the harbour.
^4ug. 2. — ^The 30th and 67th regiments of foot encamped at
Ballinrea near Carrigaline, during the absence of whom, the
armed societies mounted guard in rotation at the council chamber
for the safety of the inhabitants.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 181
Atw. 23. — 640 French prisoners arrived here from Kinsale A.D.
1779
and on the 25th were escorted most part of the way to Kilkenn
by the armed societies of the city of Cork.
Sep. 24. — There was another alarm of an invasion, occasioned
by the homeward bound Jamaica fleet, which appeared on the
coast. The army in camp at Balhnrea immediately struck their
tents, crossed the country towards Kinsale and returned the
same evening.
JVov. 24. — The camp at Carrigaline was broken up for winter
quarters,
27. — About ten o'clock this night, the ccntinel at the crimina
side of the north goal was most inhumanly houghed by some
villains, who made oft" undiscovered.
Dec. — The following occurrence happened at a coffee house
in London : an officer of the guards asked a volunteer in one of the
Coi'k societies, what corps he belonged to. He answered, to one of
the Cork corps. The officer told him they would be soon dis-
armed. The Cork boy asked him, whether he was ever in
America, He answered yes. Pray did you find it easy to disarm
them'} No, replied the officer, but we will find it no difficult
matter to disarm you. I hope replied the Cork man with an
oath, you will be one of those sent over to try the experiment.
Jan. 1. — Being the day appointed for solemnizing the glorious
victory obtained at Savanah, and for the arrival of the English act
of parliament repealing such laws as prohibited the exports of oiu:
woollens and glass, the morning was ushered in by the ringing of
bells; at noon the military were drawn up on the Mall, where Sifeu
dejoie was fired, preceded by a discharge from 21 field pieces; the
same number were fired at the conclusion. At night there was the
most general illumination known for many years; several houses
exhibited transparent inscriptions and paintings, which made a
most pleasing appearance; bonfires blazed and many private
parties were given.
March 4. — Upon the return of the bishop ofCloynefrom
Dublin, he was met twelve miles from Midleton by the Imokilly
societies of Cloyne and Midleton, and by a large number of
gentlemen and other inhabitants of each place, who escorted his
R
182 CORK REMEMBRANCER*
A. D. lordship to his house with every demonstration of joy, and at night
there were bonfires and the towns of Midleton and Cloyne were
illuminated.
March 9. — ^The Blarney volunteers assembled on the Green to
testify their joy for the completion of our free trade, and for the
confirmation of our success against the Spaniards by admiral
Rodney. They fired three rounds, after which the evening con-
cluded with bonfires, illuminations, &c.
10. — At noon this day the different armed societies proceeded
to the Mall, to celebrate the above joyful event, when each corps
fired three volleys; at night the regiments in garrison fired ?^feu de
Joie preceded and followed by twenty-one rounds from the artillery,
which were mounted on one of the bastions of Elizabeth fort for
that purpose ; the bells rung and the night concluded with bonfires
and illuminations of the most magnificent description.
17. — The armed societies paraded on the Mall with shamrock
cockades, and fired three volleys in honour of the day.
^4pril 26. — At a meeting of the society for the relief and
discharge of persons confined for small debts, a gold medallion
with an address was presented to the Rev. Dr. Pigott, late secretary
to the society.
May 31. — There was a grand review of the United Independent
volunteei's of this city, in the great meadow at the end of the
Mardyke.
June 29. — The corporation presented colonel Crosbie of the
67th regiment with his freedom in a silver box.
Aug. 13. — The Count D'Artois, a French vessel of 74gvms,
was taken off the harbour of Castle-Townsend, by captain
M'Bride commander of his Majesty's ship Bienfaisant, who was
presented with his freedom of the city of Cork on the 17th of the
same month, by the mayor and corporation, for such service.
JVov. 4. — Being the anniversary of the birth of king William,
several of the armed societies fired three volleys on the Mall, in
honour of the day.
1781 Ja^- 28. — The freedom of this city was presented to the lord
lieutenant in a gold box, and to his secretary the right honorable
William Eden, in a silver box.
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
183
Feb. 27. — There was a violent liurricane in this city, which A.D.
17ol
threw down many chimneys and iniroofed several houses.
March 18. — The 3d, 19th and 30th regiments of foot emhar-
ked at Monkstown for America.
22.— Illuminations on account of Admiral Eodney's taking
the island of St. Eustatia.
April. 12 — This evening six pieces of brass ordnance, thirty
pounders, with twelve covered waggons, and two companies of
artillery, arrived here from Dublin to strengthen the fortification
in case of invasion.
16. — This night at about 10 o'clock, a man fell into the dock
near the Crooked billet, opposite the long quay, and was drowned.
May — Two inhuman villains attacked a soldier of the 66th
regiment near the magazine, and houghed him in so barbarous a
manner that he was quite disabled.
June 2. — The new chapel in Brunswick street was consecrated.
12. — Carlisle fort was this day named by general Mocher.
^ug. 1. — The rails ofTuckey's bridge were removed to the
quay of the south river at the lower end of the Grand Parade.
Aug. 4. — A most inhuman murder was committed on a woman
of the name of Margaret Collins, at Gurrane near Dunmanway,
by her husband, without any cause or provocation, except her
neglecting to assist him in the conveyance of some staves, which
he had stolen from a gentleman in the neighbourhood. This
barbarous villain in a few days after her refusal desired her to go
with him to Gurrane, and passing through a mountain, the lone-
somcness of which seemed fitting for his diabolical purpose, he
strangled her, broke her neck, nose, right arm, and three of her
fingers, mangled her body in a most shocking manner, and
then buried it in a bog, where it was found on the 8th.
Sept. 7. — Twelve covered waggons, and a number of cars laden
with ammunition arrived here from Dublin, and were lodged in
the magazine.
2. — A great number of riotous soldiers assembled this night,
and ran tumultuously through the city, marking their progress
by the most wanton outrages upon the persons and houses of the
inhabitants. Many were severely wounded, others were obliged
184 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A- 1>. to leave their liouses to the mercy of that lawless mob, and universal
1781 . , -^ ' . ,
consteraation was spread through the town; several lives had
probably been lost, were it not for the zeal and activity of the
officers, who patrolled the streets accompanied by a giiard, and
did everything in their power to disperse the rioters. This disor
der, it was supposed, was in consequence of the murder of a soldier
the night before.
Sept. 22. — Great alarm was created by the appearance of a large
fleet seen in the offing; but it was soon dispelled by the arrival of
137 sail of the Leeward island fleet, under convoy of his majes-
ty's ships Triumph and Panther, each of 74 guns.
1782 Jan. 12. — One John Fenton a miller, died at Riverstown near
this city. On the day preceding his death (then to appearance in
good health) he went among his kindred and friends, inviting
them to his funeral on the Sunday following, and so certain was
he that his dissolution was near, that he sent his brother for a
clergyman to prepare him for eternity. The priest attended and
gave him the rites of the church on this day, after which Fenton
went to bed, and in a little time expired without the least emotion
whatsoever.
.April 19. — A cutter privateer appeared oS' this harbour and
completely blocked it up for the space of three days : she fired at
and took a vessel just under the house of Mr. Eoche of Trabolgan.
J\Iay 1. — There were dancing, prize-fighting and running in
bags at the Mardyke field.
May 9. — Eight sailors and a boy, who had been for some time
lurking about Eingskerry near Cove, ran away with a small
boat and went alongside a sloop from Waterford, laden with pork,
and by some means having obtained admittance on board, they
rose on the crew and having secured them, sailed away with the
vessel and cargo which was supposed to have been worth £2000.
30. — Lord L h's efligy was carried publicly through the
city, and hanged at Shandon castle lane.
June — In this and the following months a disorder called the
influenza raged in this city, from which very few escaped. It
commonly began with sneezing and running at the nose, a severe
cough, attended with a fever, heaviness, and pain in the head,
CORK REMEMBRANCER- 185
or with a weakness and a pain in all the bones ; it usually went A.. D.
off however in three or four days.
June 4. — Being the anniversary of the birth of his majesty,
then distinguished asking of Ireland, as soon as the day appeared
the bells in the different churches were set ringing ; at noon the
troops fired ^.feu dejoie on the Mall, and at night this city, Cove,
and Passage, were grandly illuminated.
K^ug. 1. — Rendezvous houses were opened by the different
armed societies, for the reception of recruits.
Sep. 15. — Lord Rodney arrived at Cove in the Montague of
74 guns, and on the 18th was presented with his freedom of
this city in a gold box.
Oct. — There was very inclement weather during the whole
harvest, and in this month there was a great scarcity of bread,
which continued to the end of the year. The bread was perhaps
the worst that ever was made, owing to the continued rains which
had totally ruined the corn.
Peter's church was thrown down, in order to be re-built.
Nov. 18. — The debtors in the south gaol being reduced to the
necessity of drinking salt water very often for the last three
months, their pumps being for a long time dry, and many of them
having in consequence become ill, they humbly besought the
managers of the pipe water, through the newspaper of this day,
to redress that great want.
Nov. 20 — One of the criminals confined in the bridewell made
a hole through the roof, out of which he leaped, and fell on a
number of barrels on the head of a barrel carrier who was acci-
dentally passing along, by which means he escaped.
Dec, 4. — Some nefarious villains broke open the monument of
the Deane family, in Peter's church, the railing and figures of
which had been removed until the church was rebuilt, whence
they stole the leaden coffins of sir Matthew Deane, and his lady.
27. — The criminals in the north gaol, by the assistance of saws,
cut their way through the floor into the room where the keys were
kept in a chest, which they broke open, and got into the upper
apartments, and, by making a rope fast, five let themselves down
into the streets and escaped; among the number was the noted
186 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Jack-a-boy, who was apprehended early on the following morning
at Blackpool and conducted back to his old lodgings.
£1000 was granted towards the improvement of Cork harbour.
1783 Jan. 7. — A person passing through Clothier's lane fell into a
hole made to repair the water pipes, by which accident he broke
his leg. This melancholy event offered an unusual share of amuse-
ment to an unfeeling set of spectators.
Jan. 31 — The corporation presented John Marsh, commissary,
with his freedom in a silver box.
Feh. 3. — Peter's church was begun to be re-buil(.
23. — There were at this time so many robbers and foot pads on
the road between Cork and Kinsale, that it was not safe to ride
on that road unarmed, even by day.
March 1 7. — The armed societies were reviewed in the Mardyke
field, after which they fired several volleys on the Grand Parade,
and gave three cheers in honor of our patron saint.
The Cork cavalry set off from this city to Castle Townsend, in
quest of some insurgents, said to have been meditating mischief
against the inhabitants of that neighbourhood: after scouring the
country for a great nimiber of miles, they apprehended Denis
Connell, otherwise Cock-a-bendy, who was charged with sounding
a horn with an intent to assemble a mob and disturb the peace.
J^Iay 27. — At have past five o'clock this evening, the remains
of Ebenezer Morrison, major of the Aughrim society, were
conducted from his house by the armed societies, over parliament
bridge, along the South Mall, Grand Parade, Castle street and
the South main-street, to Christ church, in solemn procession.
June 18. — There was a desperate storm of thunder and
lightning.
24. — A mob assembled in Youghal and unloaded a sloop
freighted with meal from Scotland, which had been engaged at
the enormous price of Is. 1\A. per pottle, and sold it at the public
market at the usual price.
July 9. — This morning there was a violent thunder storm,
during which an obscurity prevailed resembling the evening dusk
between ten and eleven o'clock. On the 14th there was another
storm which was renewed with greater violence on the following
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
187
morning. Balls of fire were seen to fall in several fields, tearing ^O-
the ground as they entered, several sheep, cows, horses and pigs
were killed, and many persons were scorched.
July 28. — Hanover-street was so flooded for some weeks past,
as to have been almost impassable : it was caused by some person
stopping the main sewer and encroaching on the bed of the river.
The lamps at this time were not lighted during the summer.
Auq. 16 — A dreadful fire broke out at Cove, which bumt with
such fury as to consume twenty-five houses in the space of an
hour and an half.
23. — Richard Longfield, having been returned as one of the
city repesentatives, was chaired through the town. At night
there were bonfires and illuminations.
31. — A quarrel having arisen in the guard-room in Tuckey street,
between two officers of the 32d regiment, one of them drew upon
the other, and wounded him under the left breast, in consequence
of which he instantly expired.
Sept. 9. — A dangerous mob of armed persons assembled this
night in different parts of the city, to the great annoyance of the
inhabitants.
30. — His excellency the earl of Charlemont arrived in town,
for the purpose of reviewing the volunteer corps of this city and
county. He was met by a small detatchment of cavalry at some
distance from the city, who escorted him to his lodgings on the
Grand Parade. On the following day his excellency reviewed
the troops in the Mardyke field.
Nov. 16 — Cullinane, the famous robber, who had for so long a
time infested the Kinsale road, was taken prisoner and lodged in
the city gaol.
Feb — There was the severest frost, which had been experienced 1734
since the year 1739.
27. — A sailor was stopped on Sullivan's Quay by some ruffians,
who having robbed him, threw him into the river where he was
drowned. A person who was near at the time, but was afraid to
offer any assistance, remarked that they had the appearance
of disbanded soldiers, who every night at this time perpetrated
some scene of depredation or barbarity.
1B8 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. .D March — EoLberics had become very frequent in this citv.
1/84 ^ . J -i.
27. — The air balloon which ascended near the Mardyke at
about 4 o'clock in the presence of an unusual concourse of spec-
tators, arrived at Cooper's hill at six o'clock the same evening
a distance of 18 miles. It was first discovered moving, in a
swift horizontal direction near the earth, by one John Mynehan,
an inhabitant of the above district, who, having never heard of
these curious productions of art, for some time thought it was the
devil, and] was partly confirmed in this idea by the appearance of
a tube at the summit of the machine, which displayed to his terri-
fied imagination a lively representation of the horrors attributed to
his infernal majesty. Having grown bolder by degi'ees, he at length
pursued it at full speed, when a calm immediately succeeding, the
fancied demonrested between two rocks, and was presently secured.
The men brought it home, and at night the neighbours assembled
to see this wonder of the world, but some person having dropped a
spark on the machine, it penetrated its slender covering, set fire
to the inflammable air with which it was inflated, and produced an
explosion equal to a clap of thunder. By this unfortunate event, a
man and woman were severely scorched, several fainted, and such
as could conveniently escape by flight, sheered off, fully convinced
that Lucifer himself had got amongst them.
May 3. — This day having been appointed for the sale of a
large assortment of English woollen goods by auction, between two
and three thousand of the poor distressed manufacturers of this
city, assembled and proceeded to the stores on the South Mall,
where the goods were deposited, and declared that the auction
should not go on, for that such sales would manifestly tend to their
destruction ; that they had helpless families, and^that poverty stared
them in the face ; that they could not get work to alleviate their
distresses; that many of them were ashamed to beg and would not
rob, therefore for self-preservation sake they would as far as in
them lay, suflfer no English manufactures in their line of business,
to be vended in the city. The troops were marched down, but
the timely interpositon of the mayor and sherifts, and their pro-
mise, with that of the proprietors of the goods, that the same should
not 1)6 sold here, had the desired eflect, and these poor creatures
departed with seeming content.
CORK REMEMDllANCER. 189
JaJij 11. — A party of seamen attacked the ceiitinels at South -^^ le-
gate gaol with stones, between five and six o'clock this morning;
the centinels having in vain begged of them to desist, advanced to the
end of Old Post-office lane, the seamen being on the other side
(except one who stood at the end of Kift's lane and who at inter-
vals used to run out and throw stones, crying damn you fire we
are the tnie blades,) the number of shots fired were five, the last
of which it was supposed killed Green one of the daring party.
The soldiers then returned to the gaol, and there left their muskets,
and gave chace to the man at Kift's lane, who fled and was
proceeding down Tuckey-street, when the pursuers called to the
continel at the guard house to stop him, which he did, and the
transgressor was taken into confinement.
^ug. 24. — A shoemaker underwent the newly adopted operat-
ion of tarring and feathering; during his march through the town he
was severely pelted with eggs, but was at length rescued by
sheriff" Shaw, who, with a party of the army, protected him from
further outrage. He was charged with having made up shoes of
an inferior quality at so low a price, as to prove highly injurious
to the craft.
Dec. 30 — The freedom of this city was voted to the duke of
Piutland, lord lieutenant of Ireland, in a gold box; and to Sir
Alexander Schomberg hart, in a silver box.
Colds, coughs, and asthmas, were very prevalent at this time
in Cork.
Jan. 7. — Eight American vessels which sailed in company 1785
for the purpose of smuggling, appeared off" the harbour of Castle
Townsend, but being pursued by the Bushe cutter, an engagement
took place within pistol shot, when the latter was overpowered by
numbers ; the smugglers then landed all their cargoes.
20. — This day Wandesford's bridge, entirely fell into the
river.
A congress of representatives from the different counties of
Ireland was held in Dublin, for promoting parliamentary reform,
April 14. — 'This morning at about eleven o'clock, a balloon
which had been launched from Fleet street London, by a Mr.
Fiuchett, was found in a field at Fair hill.
190 CORK REMEMBRANCEn.
A. D. April 30. — The merchants of the city of Cork fitted out a
1785
vessel, well supplied with beef, bread, &.C., to cruize off Cape
Clear, for the purpose of relieving any vessels, which the long
continuance of easterley winds might keep at sea. The manage-
ment of this expedition was entrusted to a confidential person,
who went as supercargo, and was directed to relieve whomsoever
he might meet with in distress, without consideration of the
country to which the claimants belonged, or whither they were
bound, and without taking any remuneration.
May 18. — A meeting of citizens was summoned at the council
chamber at 12 o'clock, for the purpose of opposing the building
of a bridge below the customhouse, which, it was asserted, would
be the cause of depopulating and laying waste the thickly inha-
bited and flourishing parts of the city, and also for signing a
petition to parliament, to defeat and counteract such destructive
resolutions as were then forming to carry into effect, a scheme
that it was supposed would be the ruin of thous'ands.
July 14. — The boat races at Haulbowlin commenced : the day
was fine, and a brilliant concourse of people were assembled. The
island having been previously taken possession of by AVilliam
Lombard, who was stiled governor of the day, a platform was
erected and surrounded with picquet lines to reserve the space with-
in for the nobility and gentry. The governor's tents were pitched,
and his tables being covered with a cold collation, a large band
of music was in attendance, and batteries of cannon were mounted
on the most advantageous ground in the island. The governor was
dressed in a fancy habit, resembling a highland chieftain's dress.
On the river wer5 a great number of yachts and boats, all filled
with various parties vying with each other in gaiety of dress
and cheerfulness of appearance. At 2 o'clock the signal was given
for starting; one ten and two twelve oared barges contended for
the first prize, and three eight oared boats for the second :
160 turbots were killed during this day.
August 22 — This day a prisoner who was guarded by a party
of the army from the city court house to the gaol, in attempting to
make his escape, was by one of them run through the body, and
killed on the spot.
CORK UEMEMBRANCER. 191
^ug. 31 — 200,000 herrings were taken at one haul at Bantry. A_. D.
Sept. 20. — An attempt was made by the criminals in north
gaol to escape. To effect their purpose they broke several of the
inside doors to get to the top of the gaol, and from thence three
conveyed themselves down by tying their blankets and sheets
together. John Callaghan otherwise Jack-a-boy, a most notorious
offender, and one Linehan under sentence of transportation,
escaped ; but the third was retaken under a boat on one of the
quays.
Oct. 26. — At five o'clock this day the lord lieutenant and his
suite arrived here from Doneraile, and the duchess of Rutland in
an hour after. They were conducted to the house of Broderick
Chinnery, esq. the streets through which they passed being lined
with troops. At 2 o'clock the following day, his excellency was
waited on by the mayor, sheriffs, recorder, aldermen and burgesses,
with the keys of the city, &c. and an address was read by the
recorder in the name of the corporation, after which his excellency
conferred the honor of knighthood on John Frankhn the
mayor, with whom he dined at the mansion house. On the same
day, the bishop and the clergy of the diocese waited on his excel-
lency ; and on the 28th, the merchants of this city did the same.
On the 31st his excellency conferred the honor of knighthood on
John Haly, M. D. and Richard Kellet, jun. after which he
examined the cotton manufactory of Henry Sadleir and Co. on
Morrison's Island, with which he was highly pleased ; he then
went to see the process of making up beef and pork, at the stores of
Vaughan, Hamilton and Co. where he and his suite condescended
to cat beef-steaks dressed cellar fashion ; on the same day his
excellency dined with the merchants at the King's arms tavern,
after which he and the duchess went to the assembly. On the
1st of November Joseph Gray, esq. was knighted by his excel-
lency. During his stay in the south, he also conferred the honor
of knighthood on James Carthy, sovereign of Kinsale, and on
three military gentlemen.
Dec. 7 — A large part of a rock, back of Mr. Newenham's house
in the North Abbey fell down, which entirely destroyed his stables,
and buried three horses in its ruins.
192 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Dec. 30. — The noted Jack-a-boy returned once more to this
1785
city.
1786 An act was passed, whereby, after reciting that in consequence of
the property of the trees on the lled-houso walk not being vested
in any person or body, ill-disposed persons were in the habit of
cutting and hacking their trunks and preventing their growth,
with impunity, it was enacted, that the property of the trees then
planted, or hereafter to be planted thereon, should be vested
in the mayor, sheriffs, and common council of this city, and their
successors.
An act was passed for building a bridge over the northern
channel of the river Lee, below North bridge.
Jan. 3. — Sir James Fitz-Patrick, a gentleman of distinguished
philanthropy arrived in this city, after having made a tour through
a great part of this kingdom, for the purpose of visiting the
prisons. On the 4th he made a very minute inspection of the
gaols of this city and county, in which he discovered many
deficiencies and very great abuses. On the 5th and 6th he was
entertained by the mayor and sheriffs ; and on the 7th was
waited on at his lodgings by the Cork society for the relief and
discharge of confined debtors, who presented to him, inelegant
binding, the printed account of their proceedings from their first
institution, with an address delivered by their secretaiy the
llev. Francis Orpen.
23. — At a meeting held in the vestry room of St. Paul's church,
the parishioners entered into several resolutions for the purpose of
preserving the peace, one of which was to establish an association
to attend each night in rotation, to patrol through the parish.
Fch. 14. — Mr. William Spread and his brother, passing by
Kilcondy pound, and seeing there one hundred horses with bridles
and saddles which, they conceived must have been left there
by the White boys, immediately liberated them, and searching
the house near the pound, they found one cwt. of gunpowder, and
a large quantity of duck shot and slugs, which they brought away
with them.
April 5. — A most singular claim was made in the county
court-house by Sir James Carthy, sovereign of Kinsale, on behalf
ofhimsclf and the burgesses of that town. The judge being in want
CORK REMEMBRAXCEPw 193
of a respectable jury, the high sheriff in open court called on A.D.
Sir James to attend. Sir James was a great deal embarrassed at
first as his coiuisel was not in court, but at last he rose, and in a
most respectful manner pleaded the honorable privilege conferred
by charter on the sovereign and burgesses of Kinsale, exempting
them from any" duty outside their walls, except when especially
commanded by his majesty's writ. The judge was so pleased that
he paid Sir James many compliments, but requested that a gen-
tleman of his respectable station in society would be foreman to
the jury then about to be sworn : whereupon Sir James com-
plied with his request; counsel was however to have been heard as
to the point of law.
April 24. — The captain of one of the revenue cmisers on this
coast gave information to the lords of the admiralty, that a fleet of
about 200 I'rench vessels were in the habit of fishing for mac-
kerel between Baltimore and Crookhaven, each vessel containing
about 30 men. Their nets reached above two miles, so that our
poor fishermen were obliged to be satisfied with the few straggling
fish, which might happen to escape them.
May 18. — Fevers raged in this city, which was attributed to
the heaps of manure in the public streets.
The newspaper of this day mentions that it was a constant
practice for carriers to keep horses, without having the means of
supporting ihem, and to go in such gangs with them into the fields
adjoining this city, that sometimes in one night the meadow of a
season was eaten down.
29. — This season being very dry, the poor inhabitants of this
city suffered greatly from want of water.
July 29. — A desperate skirmish took place between thirty of
the volunteers and upwards of six hundred White-boys near
Inchigelagh in this county, in which three of the latter were
killed, two drowned in endeavouring to make their escape across
the river, several wounded, and nine taken prisoners.
Sept. 26. — A gentleman and his servant liberated between
Macroom and this town two proctors, who were buried by the
Whiteboys up to their chins since 12 o'clock the night before.
Upon the holes in which they were placed being examined, glass
and furze were found in the bottom.
194 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. Sept. 29. — The mayor, the late mayor, the sheriffs, the late
sheriffs, the aldermen, and burgesses, with the city regalia, went in
processionto lay the new foundation of the new meat market, which
was built on a large piece of ground purchased for that purpose.
About this time the mayor established a letter box near the
Exchange, to receive anonymous letters respecting nuisances in
the city,
Oct. 15. — Early this morning the king's post, with the Cork,
and Kinsale mails for Dublin, was stopped at the lower end of
Blackpool, by five men with slouched hats, one armed with a
^ drawn hanger, who threatened the postriders life, if he did not
deliver up the mail instantly, which he did, when they made off
with it towards Blarney lane.
JVov. 1. — The noted Jack-a-boy and one Owen Daly, convicted
of a riot in the city gaol, were whipped from south to north gate.
8. — A remarkable meteor was seen here this night, much
brighter than the moon, and of double its diameter; It was of a
white colour inclining to blue, had no tail, and was of aglobulor form
not well defined ; it scattered luminous particles as it passed along,
and when it burst, which happened about two seconds after its
first appearance, it left a train behind, and a rumbling noise was at
the same time heard resembling thunder, which continued from
twenty to thirty seconds. After the meteor disappeared a luminous
mist was observed, which gradually diffused itself through the
whole atmosphere.
24. A parapet wall fell upon two houses near Goulnaspur, and
buried the persons who slept in the back rooms. It was situated
behind the houses upon a hill of earth, which had been washed
away by the late heavy rains, by which means the foundation had
been undermined.
Dec. — The mayor and sheriffs gave directions for a irewly con-
structed pillory, in which the criminal was to stand upright, and
to be entirely exposed to view, and which was to move on a swivel,
that the face during the time of punishment might be exhibited
in every direction.
16. — A number of servants of the principal gentleman in this
city were taken by the constables and peace officers in a club
1787
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 195
house in George's street where they were assembled, and com- A. D.
" . . 17!30
mitted to Bridewell: such a degree of respectability had this place
of resort attained to, that printed cards of invitation were regularly
issued to the members on the nights of meeting.
March 30. — A ball of fire fell from the clouds on a cabin near
Castletown- roche, killed one man, and burnt six others dreadfully;
a pig was also killed by it, and although buried several feet below
the earth to prevent infection, the effluvia was so strong that it
was not safe to come near the spot.
June 2. — The mayor and corporation waited on lord chief
justice Carleton, recorder of this city, to congratulate him on his
arrival here, and on his late appointment.
4. — The king's birth-day, was observed in the usual manner.
18. — The celebrated Mr. Howard visited this city.
19. — The mayor was invested with a collar of SS and a gold
chain, and the sheriffs with gold chains, which had been lately
voted by the court of D'Oyer hundred. The former voluntarily
passed his bond to the chamberlain for £500, with two joint
sureties, conditioned for the safe delivering up of the collar and
chain at the end of his year of office, to his successor. He caused
them at the same time to be weighed with the invoice which had
been sent with them from London, a copy of which was entered
in the court of D" Oyer hundred book. The sheriffs also passed
their bonds for £150 each, with two joint securities, under similar
conditions.
July 1. — Being the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne, the
morning was ushered in by the ringing of bells; before noon the
Blackpool cavalry assembled m Henry-street, opposite the Mansion
house, and were soon after joined by the subtrading corporations,
which associations had been discontinued for nearly thirty years.
The procession marched in order to and from Church.
10. — A public dispensary for supplying the sick poor of this
city with medical advice and medicines gratis, was established by
benefactions and voluntary contributions.
22. — The mayor and corporation went in state to Glanmire
church.
27. — There was constant and heavy rain, and on the following
196 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A_. D. (Jay a great flood in the river, by which a colher near Merchant's
quay which was deeply laden, got her bows partly underwater, in
consequence of the flood clearing away the gravel from luider
her. The works on the marsh near the Mardyke, then in progress
for a grist mill, were carried off.
July 30. — The mayor gave directions to have the old draw-
bridge taken down, and the timber of it sold by auction, as it was
in a dangerous condition, and had become comparatively useless,
by a great part of Patrick-street having been arched over.
^ug, 9. — Mr. Richard Rowland of Rathcooney, having gone
to value the tithes of the parish of Whitechurch, left his horses in
the care of a servant at Six-mile-bridge near New-grove. Dming
his absence the man was attacked by twelve fellows, who dragged
him through the river, and carried him into the most remote part
of the mountains of New-grove, where they beat him severely,
and afterwards bound him in such a manner that he must have
perished, had not a man by chance met him at night-fall and
released him.
30. — The mayor issued orders to prevent bells from being rung
at auctions.
Sept. 9. — Three men under sentence of transportation ran out
of the city gaol upon the door being opened ; two of them were
however stopped by the centinel on the bridge, but the other
made his escape.
22. — As one of the sub- constables for the barony of Barrymore,
and a corporal of the 47th regiment of foot, were conducting one
Kelly to the county gaol, they were attacked at Dixon's glen, near
upper Glanmire, by a riotous mob, consisting of sixty or seventy
men, who endeavoured to rescue Kelly; they were all armed with
muskets, blunderbusses and pistols, and were well supplied with
ammunition, and kept up a constant running fire for about three
miles with the corporal's party, who having alsokcptup a constant
fire upon the rioters, expended all their ammunition except
one round. They could not, however, do much execution,
as the day was very wet, and as the rioters concealed themselves
inside the hedges and ditches on each side of the road. One of
Kelly's sons leaped into the road, fired at the party and wounded
CORK REMEMBRANCER. ' 197
one of tlie soldiers in the arm, but was immediately shot dead by A.D.
11 1787
tile corporal,
Sept. 22. — All order of council was passed, empowering the
mayor to have the different streets, lanes, alleys, quays, &c. named,
and the houses numbered, previous to the survey of this city
then taking.
24. — At a meeting of the citizens held at the council-chamber,
it was resolved that a memorial should be presented to the lord
lieutenant to establish mail coaches between Dublin and Cork, and
between Cork and Waterford.
26. — Three felons in the south gaol, under sentence of transpor-
tation, escaped from their dungeon through the sewer, and getting
into the river at low water, waded across to the north side, with
bar-bolts on them. They were afterwards taken.
Oct. 1. — This day the mayor and sheriffs were sworn into office;
after which the corporation, with the city regalia and an elegant
band of music, and the sub-corporations, walked to the north and
south gates, which being locked, the keys were given by the late
to the new mayor, who opened them. On their return to the
Exchange the late mayor was placed in an elegant chair with a
canopy of laurels, and carried by his fellow-citizens to the extremity
of the city, amid loud and sincere plaudits. The procession
continued till ten at night, during which time the mayor
continued with his hat off, bowing to all ranks and orders of the
people ; several houses were brilliantly illuminated, and a
great number of flambeaux, which were provided by the citizens,
added to the brilliancy of the scene. The ridiculous custom of
throwing bran was dropped, a practice which had continued from
time immemorial.
Nov. — A desperate conspiracy to blow up with gunpowder the
criminal side of the north gaol was discovered ; holes had been
bored in the walls by the prisoners, and the window was loosened.
Nine pounds of gunpowder was to have been conveyed to them.
Dec. 2. — HisB-oyal Highness prince William Henry arrived in
Cork harbour on board his majesty's ship the Pegasus, and the
following evening landed from a barge at the Grand Parade, on
which he walked, accompanied by general Patterson, colonel
s
198 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A- D. St. George, and the town major. He dined with a select party at the
1787
Bush tavern, and shewed himself frequently at the windows to
the people, who were assembled outside, and in whose hearing he
drank prosperity to Ireland and to the trade of Cork, and after-
wards ordered plenty of porter for the people. In the evening
he went to the assembly, and danced with the lady of colonel St.
George, Miss Fitter, Miss Kellet, lady Haly, and Mrs. Armstead.
The mayor and corporation waited on his Royal Highness, when
the recorder requested him to permit his name to be enrolled
amongst the freemen of Cork, to which he assented; the town-
clerk, thereupon, presented him with his freedom in a gold box,
and the recorder read an address on the part of the corporation.
On the 5th the Protestant clergy addressed him, after which,
attended by the earl of Shannon, Sir Henry Mannix, Bart, colonel
St. George and Broderick Chinnery, Esq. he went to view the
spacious concerns of Messrs. Hamilton, Lynch and Co. where he
eat a beef-steak off the head of a barrel. On the 7th addresses
werepresentedby the merchants and by the quakers, and on the 1 1th
the bishop and clergy of the diocese of Cloyne waited on him at
the seat of the earl of Shannon, with an address, after which the
clergy were severally presented to his Royal Highness. On the
15th he returned to this city, after having made an excursion to
Castlemartyr, Drumanagh, Curraghmore and Waterford, and
dined with the merchants the same evening, after which he atten-
ded the concert at the assembly rooms ; and on the following day
was presented with an address by the high sheriff, who was attended
by the earl of Shannon, lord Kinsale, Sir James Fitz-Gerald, Sir
Nicholas Colthurst, Bart. Sir James Cotter, Bart, and a great
number of other respectable gentlemen. On the 18th the dissenters
presented an address, after which his Royal Highness reviewed the
diflferent regiments in garrison here, and on the 19th returned to
his ship. On the 27th he arrived at Plymouth. During his passage
from Cork, a thunder storm broke over the ship so violently as to
tear some of the sails and shiver the main-mast.«
1788 Jan. — Between six and seven o'clock this evening, a private in
the 9th regiment was barbarously houghed, when passing over
Wandesford's bridge.
June 9. — A most daring mob, to the number of one thousand
CORK REMEMBRANCER. _ 199
persons, armed with swords, bludgeons and sticks, ran from the A"^*
north to the south end of the town, crying out " a mad bull,"
cntenng several shops that sold cast clothes, taking and destroying
the same, and where the goods were removed, beating the shop-
keepers. Their depredations were however trifling until they came
to the house of Mr. Flpi, a tobacconist and old clothes man in the
South Main-street, whose porter they maltreated when endeavour-
ing to shut up the shop, which they entered and threw out all
the goods to their companions, to the amount of above sixty
guineas, and, had it not been for the spirited exertions of the
sheriffs, aldermen. Sir John Franklin, and several peace officers,
who brought a guard of the army, it is impossible to tell what
might have been the consequence. None of the rioters were
taken, though they were pursued with the utmost expedition, as
their retreat was as precipitate as their attack.
July 25. — The foundation stone of St. Patrick's bridge was
laid ; Mr. Michael Shanahan was the architect and contractor.
August 1. — The new meat, fish, poultry, and vegetable mar-
kets were opened in the city of Cork.
Oct. 14 — Several houses in Dumbullogue parish were broken
open by theWhite-boys, and all the horses in the village carried off.
Dec. 5. — One Owen Eeagan ordered on his death bed that a
piper should play before his corpse from his house to the grave,
which was done this day, to the surprize and astonishment of a
great number of spectators. When the corpse was laid in the
grave a gallon of ale was thrown on the coffin, and the piper played
a dirge during the entertainment.
14. — On this night and the following day there was a great fall
of snow, which was succeeded by so severe a frost, that the south
channel from Parliament bridge to the edge of Lapp's island
was frozen, and the navigation of ships greatly impeded.
Dec. 18. — The frost having continued, several persons were
hardy enough to skait this day on the river in the south channel.
Charity, working, and sunday schools, were established in 1759
Youghal.
The Mall in Youghal was formed, and an elegant large square
building erected thereon at the expense of the corporation, con-
sisting of an assembly, card, coffee, and billiard rooms.
200
CORK REMEMBilANCEK.
A-D. Jan. 12. — At the trial of captain Keightlcy in Cork, whicli
1789 . ^ ° . .
took place about this time, Mr. Cvirran, counsel against the pn^
Boner, made use of the following expressions. "He has acted,
gentlemen of the jury, like a ruffian, and I will prove him to your
satisfaction to have acted so, and I shall affix infamy on his name
as close as ever the regimentals stuck to his back. " These words
the gentlemen of the bar contended that Mr. Curran was justified
in using by the event (for the juiy found him guilty of co-operating
with a party of soldiers, who were also convicted, of an attempt
atassassination)and that no lawyers life could be safe for a moment
if he Was obliged to fight every culprit, whom his exertions had
brought to punishment, as soon as he had suffered the sentence
of the law. On the other hand the gentlemen of the army con-
tended that the words were such as no man of spirit, no man who
honored the king's connnission could possibly submit to; that
no event could justify or palliate antecedent expressions, which,
however true they i-^iight be after conviction, were evidently at
once premature and barbarous, and intended to bias the minds of
the jury, and that they were satisfied that Mr. Curran's influence
and exertions did produce that eifect, and that the verdict was
dlearly partial. Mr. Curran however refused to meet captain
Keightley, and considered the whole as a professional matter,
wherein the safety ofevery lawyer in the kingdom was involved, and
determined to punish him with the utmost extent of legal severity.
The newspaper of this date, in which the circumstance is menti-
oned, remarks, "end as this aff'air may, we trust it will be the
means of stopping that torrent of low scurrility, which has much
too long overflowed the Irish bar, for we have no conception that,
because a man wears a white wig, black gown, and speaks before
a judge, he is therefore at liberty to violate every rule of good
manners, every feeling of honour, and every decency of life."
17. — This day the city exhibited a spectacle dreadful to behold.
Aheavy fall of rain began on the previous day, and continued with-
out intermission during the night, and having dissolved the snow
up the country, the river thundered down with the rapidity of a
mountain torrent, broke every boundary and overflowed the entire
city between the gates. It rushed through the streets and ave-
nues with the most impetuous violence, and by four o'clock had
CO UK REMEMBRANCER. 201
completely deluged all the flat parts from the Mansion-house to A. D.
Cold harbour. In most places it was near five feet, in many parts
seven feet high^ and continued rising until seven o'clock at nighty
at wliich hour it remained stationary for some time, about nine
it happily began to subside, and at three o'clock the following
morning returned within its usual limits. During this melancholy
scene several boats plied in different streetsand lanes, many horse-
men, and pei-sonsin carriages, would have been lost after night
fall, had it not been obviated by the vigilance of the citizens, who
held out lights to them, and cautioned them of the impending
danger. The loss sustained by the inhabitants was very conside-
rable. A cellar on the north Mall, a house at Baldwin's corner,
and two in Globe lane were swept away, as were also the quays
in many places, so as to render the situation of the hoixscs, parti-
cularly on Bachelor's quay, truly alarming. A brig without any
person on board, broke from her moorings at the Sand quay ,_ and,,
coming with her broadside across the centre arch of the new
bridge, threw it down and was herself completely destroyed, soon
after the other arch came down. The north and south bridges
received some injury, but stood immoveable. On Hammond's
marsh boats plied as well as if they were in the main river. What
vi^ould have been the event of this dreadful inundation, if the rain
had continued for a few hours longer it is impossible to say ; for-
tunately it ceased at a critical moment, and the wind shifting to
the N. W.. cut short the tide, from which great apprehensions
were entertained. No flood within many feet of this had ever been
known or heard of in this city before or since. Considerable damage
was sustained by many, but happily only one life was lost, (a man of
the name of Noah.) On the following day (Sunday,) the mayor
ordered the markets to be opened, as the inhabitants would liave
been otherwise much distressed for provisions.
The following is an extract of a letter from Macroom. "Great
has been the damage done by the floods of the 17th in this
neighbourhood, both to public and private property, the bridges
of Inchigelagh and Crookstown, and the new bridge over the
Scillane, near Macroom, are swept away, with the quay and.
parapet wall on the lands of Coolcower.
Feh. 23. — The Play-house was illuminated with patent lamps.
202 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. March 6. — Illuminations andgeneralrejoicings for his majesty's
restoration to health.
%4pril 23. — Having been appointed as a day of public thanks-
giving, the corporation, lord chief-justice Carleton, the brethren
of the principal Cork knot of the order of St. Patrick, and all
the troops then in the town, marched in grand procession from
the Exchange to Chiist church,
July 8. — His majesty's royal mail-coach, established by
Messrs. Anderson, Fortescue, and O'Donoghue, (from Dublin
to Cork) arrived this day for the first time with his majesty's
mail.
Sept. 29. — The key stone of the last arch of the new bridge
was laid by the ancient and honorable societies of Freemasons of
this city. The morning was ushered in with the ringing of bells;
andan immense crowdhad assembled in the principal streets before
eleven o'clock. At about twelve the procession of the different
lodges, dressed with theirjewelsand the insignia of their respective
orders, preceded by the band of the 51st regiment, moved thi-ough
Castle-street, down the New-street called St. Patrick-street,
and advanced to the foot of the new bridge, which was decorated
on the occasion with the Irish standard, the union flag, and
several other ensigns. Here they were saluted with nine cannon,
the workmen, dressed in white aprons, hning each side of the
bridge. The procession advanced up to the centre of the last
arch, where they were received by the commissioners and the
architect. The last key stone which had been previously sus-
pended, and which weighed forty-seven hundred, was then
instantly lowered into its berth, and the Bible, laid upon a large
scarlet velvet cushion adorned with tassels and gold fringe, was
placed upon it. Lord Donoughmore, as grand master, thereupon
in due form gave three distinct knocks with a mallet. The
commissioners were then called upon to mention the intended
name of the bridge, which being communicated, the grand almoner
of Munster emptied his chalice of wine upon the key stone, and
the grand master, in the name of the ancient and honorable
fraternity of free and accepted masons of the province of Munster,
proclaimed it "St. Patrick's bridge." The whole body of masons
then gave a salute of "three times three," which was returned by
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 203
nine cheers of the populace and the firina: of nine cannon. After A.. D
? . 1789
this the procession marched over the bridge and its portculHs,
and having surveyed them, were again sahited with nine cannon.
Sept. 30. — At nine o'clock a most violent hurricane began,
the wind at S.W., which blew a perfect storm until next morning.
Several houses and chimneys were blown down, trees torn up by
the roots, boats and lighters driven from their moorings^ and other
injuries sustained.
Jan. 28. — This morning a bull,, driven by a numerous mob ygo
from Fair lane, was beaten through Mallow lane, the Main street
&.C. no person was however hurt. Two of the principals in this
revival of a custom disgraceful to humanity were taken up, and
lodged in bridewell.
May 9. — A hot press commenced at Cove, and in this city,,
and every seaman, who could be met with, was impressed.
June — ^At this time 1600 lamps were used in lighting the city.
1 7. — Abraham Morris, the unsuccessful candidate for this county,
was chaired. The military bands attended the procession.
July 22. — ^A meeting was held for the purpose of establishing
Sunday schools in this city.
Sept. 2. — The gateage and other tolls and customs belonging to
the corporation of Cork were advertized to be set by public
auction.
17. — The freedom of this city was voted by the corporation to
Philip Corby, esq. commodore of bis majesty's fleet, and com-
mander in chief on the Irish coast, to be presented in a silver box,
as a public mark of their approbation of his conduct.
Oct. 20. — His excellency the lord lieutenant arrived at
Mitchelstown, and on the following day the high sheriff and town
clerk of Cork, waited on him, to request the honor of his dining
with the mayor and corporation. He accepted the invitation
and conferred the honour of knighthood on Heniy Browne Hayes,
one of the sheriffs. On the 25th, his excellency and suite arrived
in Cork, having been met a little before two o'clock at some dis-
tance from, and escorted to town, by a troop of cavalry then quar-
tered here. The streets from the new bridge, along St. Patrick
street, the Grand Parade, and as far as the bishop's palace, where
his excellency and suite lodged, were lined by the troops, and .soon
204 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A_. I>- after his arrival he was waited on by the mayor and corporation , the?
clergy, and the merchants, whom he received in the most polite
manner, and conferred the honor ofknighthood on William Clarke,
esq. His excellency dined atthe mansion house with the mayor and
corporation, and at night honoured the assembly with his pre-
sence. Duringhis stay here his excellency visited Spike Island, the
seat of Nicholas Fitton, esq. and received a salute from the bat-
teries and men of war. He named the fortifications erecting there
"Fort Westmoreland," and gave the workmen 100 guineas upon
leaving it. On his return he visited the cellars of Messrs.
Fergusson and Co., and after taking a view of the city, dined at
the king's arms with the merchants. On the 27th his excellency
and suite set off for Dublin.
JSTov. 25. — For some nights past, parties of soldiers, with their
side arms, patrolled the streets, and robbed different gentlemen of
their watches and money, and that at so early an hour as eight
o'clock.
There was more sickness in the city this winter, than had been
known for many years past.
A Sunday and daily school was opened on Hammond's marsh.
This year the church at Youghal imderwent considerable
repairs.
1791 Jan. 7. — Four persons broke into the house of Andrew Egan,
at Mile-house, on the road to Blarney, with their faces blackened.
After having candles lighted, they tied the whole family, seven
in number, with small twine andthen'pi"Oceeded to rob the house of
every thing valuable, but suspecting that there was something
still concealed, one of the villains proposed to scald the family
with boiling water, to extort a confession ; the motion how-
ever was overruled by one of the accomplices. After this they
quitted the house, and left the poor people in the greatest pain
from the tightness of the cords, which nearly cut through the
flesh. A little boy of nine years of age, who was fettered in bed,
got to his father, and industriously with his teeth loosed him, and
he in his turn untied the rest of the family.
Feb. 27. — A felon, confined in the county gaol, rushed out
when the latch was opened, and ran towards Hanover street, over
Wandesfords' bridge, where the turnkey overtook him; upon this
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 205
the villain snapped a pistol twice at him, which having missed p^-
fire, he was immediately apprehended.
Dec. 4. — ^The high sheriff convened the parishoners of Clon-
drohid in order to represent to them the consequence of their
nightly meetings, when with one voice they confessed their error,
pledging themselves in the most solemn manner, never to have
recourse to such practices in future,
6. — The insulating wall and guard-house for the intended gaol
for the county of Cork was begun.
Castle street was widened and the merchant's coffee room huilt.
The Liuiatic Asylum was commenced, for which purpose near
£200 was collected by a charity play, owing to the exertions
of Richard Harris, the mayor.
Jul// 30. — The marquis Townsend arrived in this city, and 1792
was waited on by the mayor, sherifis, and common council with
an address.
April 13. — There was a general illumination in this city, ^'^^
several beautiful transparent paintings expressive of loyalty, were
exhibited in different parts of the town, and the night concluded
with cveiy demonstration of joy for the different victories obtained
over the French. On the 14th, the town of Cove was also
grandly illuminated for the same joyful occasion.
July 3. — A number of French prisoners having escaped from
the prison at Kinsale, seized on a fishing boat and put off to
sea.
Aug. 17. — There was a most violent thunder storm, which
tore up several ti'ees by the roots, and did much injury to the
crops.
Sept. 4. — Part of the barrack at Youghal was blown up by the
explosion of two casks of gunpowder, by which accident several
soldiers and other persons were much injured.
Nov. 18. — Colonel Bernard obtained permission to raise a
regiment of infantry, to consist of 654 men, including non-com-
missioned officers : Sir William Clarke was appointed major.
March 5. — About 300 men came from the Parish of White- 1794
church to Carrignavar to swear the people of that parish, upon
which Mr. M'Carty recommended them to disperse, as he would
otherwise be obliged as a justice of the peace to have them
206 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. apprehended. On this they adjourned their meeting to a glen at
some distance, where they had not remained long before they were
surrounded by the light horse and a party of the militia, who took
18j prisoners and brought them into town, wiiere they were
lodged in the South gaol.
March 9. — Sir Heni-y Mannix, attended by a party of cavalry,
made an extensive circuit through the parishes of Carrigtuohill and
the Great Island, for the purpose of preventing illegal oaths from
being administered,
10. — Adam Newman, Thomas Knolles, and the Reverend Mr.
Meade, justices of the peace, went to Ballindeshig and Oyster-
haven with a party of the Carlow militia, to disperse, an illegal
meeting assembled there, when, after reading the riot act and
advising them to disperse, one of the militia men having taken a
drink at the brook, the insurgents threw stones at him and the
justices ; upon which the militia were ordered to fire, which they
did by tens until one hundred and eighty shots were discharged,
by which three men and one woman were killed, and several
persons wounded.
23. — A great concourse of people assembled at the chapel at
Cove, and expressed to their pastor the parish priest, their
contrition for having engaged in the late illegal proceedings,
stating that they had been induced to act as they had done by a
number of strangers, who had come into that parish to swear them.
^pril 29. — Illuminations and general rejoicings in Cork for
the surrender of Martinico to his majesty's forces.
May 25. — Several of the Louth militia had a serious riot in
the North main-street and outside the gate with some citizens.
They stabbed a few persons with bayonets; one man was obliged
tojmnp into the river to avoid their fury. The timely appearance
of Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Raymond, active peace officers, prevented
more serious consequences ; they apprehended nine or ten of the
militia and committed them to Bridewell.
15. — Illuminations, ringing of bells, and other demonstrations
of joy, for lord Howe's victory over the French fleet.
Juhj 30. — The cathedral bells, which had been silent for some
years, were set ringing upon the arrival of bishop Stopford at his
palace.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 207
Oct. 25. — Four Frenchmen escaped from their prison in A.D.
Kinsale ; but after roaming about the country for two days, without
obtaining the least assistance from the people, they were glad to
return to their old lodorino-s.
o o
The quay leading to the Mardyke was at this time in so ruinous
a state as to endanger the lives of the citizens.
Dec. 3. — An order of court of D'Oyer hundred was passed for
the erection of public ovens, to be used when the bakers should
not think proper to supply the citizens with bread of the legal
size ; and ground near the corn market was ordered to be taken
for that purpose.
Feh. 9. — David Perrier one of the city sheriffs, and Strettell 1795
Jackson common speaker, presented the freedom of this city to the
lord lieutenant in a gold box at Dublin castle ; his excellency
conferred the honor of knighthood on the former. At the same
time a deputation from the merchants waited on his excellency
with an address, when one of them Patrick O'Connor was knighted
by his excellency.
May 27. — The Downshire militia were marched out of the
town, as they and the towns people were not likely to continue on
peaceable terms.
June 4. — Some persons attempted to mutilate and destroy the
statue of king George II on the Grand Parade : a reward of £400
subscribed by different gentlemen, was offered for the
apprehension and prosecuting to conviction of the offenders.
^ug^ 20. — The lord lieutenant conferred the honor of knight-
hood at Dublin castle upon Robert Hedges of Mount-Hedges,
high sheriff of this county.
Sept. 3. — Five companies of the 105th or Leeds volunteer
regiment, (the remainder being in Kinsale,) and the 113th or
Birmingham regiment having been ordered on the Grand Parade,
to be drafted into other regiments, the 105th refused to comply,
and having been joined by the 113th On the following day, they
paraded several times. In the evening they marched to the north
suburbs, where they got into an empty house and out offices, and
remained there until five the next morning, at which hour they
marched to the Parade, where they were repeatedly advised to
submit by the generals, but to no purpose. At ten they marched
208 COKK liEMEMBUANCEn.
A. D. off, but came back at twelve o'clock, when most of the 113th
submitted. The alarm in the town was very great; two field
pieces however were brought from the magazine, and the 7th dra-
goons, and the Louth and Meath militia soon surrounded them in
such a mannerthattheygrotmded their armsandsubmitted. Alarge
number of the ringleaders were taken into custody, to be tried by
a coiirt martial. Some of them produced advertisements, which
were published upon their being enlisted, promising that they should
not be drafted, but that the survivors should be disbanded, at the
end of the war, in the places where they were raised. To the
eternal honor of these unfortunate men, though nine hundred of
them were in distress and in arms for three days, they were not
guilty of the least excess towards the citizens' persons or
property.
5. — Earl Camden, the lord lieutenant, arrived at Castlemartyr,
the residence of the earl of Shannon. On the following day,
(Sunday,) he was waited on by the corporation of Youghal, and
on Monday his excellency, attended by lord Boyle and othere,
rode to Cove, where he went on board admiral Kingsmill's
schooner, and proceeded to view the harbour and forts, attended
by the admiral and general Vallancey. His excellency received a
salute of nineteen guns from the different batteries and ships as
he passed, and then proceeded to Midleton to view^ the extensive
and flourishing cloth manufactory established there by Mr. Lynch,
inside the gates of which the earl of Kingston had previously
drawn up his regiment of Roscommon militia, who received his
excellency with arms presented and flying colours ; at half-past
five his excellency returned to lord Shannon's to dinner. On the
9th the sheriffs of Cork waited on his excellency with an
invitation to this city, which he accepted, and on the evening of
the 1 1th arrived there. Shortly after a levee was held at the man-
sion-house, when the mayor and corporation addressed him, as did
also the lord bishop of Cork and Ross and the clergy. At night
the city was illuminated, and at about 8 o'clock his excellency
quitted town, escorted by the 7th dragoon guards.
Oct. 11. — Serjeant Mulhall of the lOoth, and some others who
had been concerned in the lat3 mutiny, escaped from the
Bridewell of this city, previous to their undergoing the punishment
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 2U9
thovMVcre to have received for the offence. It was sakl that tlic A.l).
•^ . . 17'Jo
freemasons, to which body he belonged, were concerned in his
escape.
Qct^ 20. — A school-house in Castle-Lvons was throw'n down
by the falling of a building adjoining, by which eleven children
were killed, and several had their limbs broken.
Jan. 27. — At between twelve and one o'clock a thunder-storm 1795
commenced : the lightning struck the main-mast of a large
new brig, lying in the dock at Coppinger's corner and shattered
it to pieces. So violent was the effect of the lightning that splinters
of the mast were cast many hundred yards off in various directions,
and several of them were forced through the slates of the adjoining
houses, the windows of which were entirely shattered by the
violence of the explosion.
jipril 28. — -The foundation stone of a Roman Catholic chapel
was laid in Bandon.
Sept. 10.— A number of French prisoners confined in Kinsale,
attempted to escape through the sewer of the prison ; but being
pursued, five of them were taken the next day at Innoshannon,
Dec. 14. — A French fleet, consisting of 18 sail of the line,
14 frigates, 5 large transports, and some small vessels, sailed,
from Brest with 25,000 troops. The signal having been given
for sailing out through the Passage de Raz, La Fraternite fri-
gate, with the admiral and general Hoche on board, and a few
other ships succeeded ; but it was by the Passage de Flotes that
the greater part of the fleet bore out to sea, and the first division -
being unable to join them, in consequence of a gale of wind
coming on, the admiral's vessel was separated from the rest of the
fleet. Several of the ships were wrecked ; the remainder came
within view of the Irish coast in three days, but having mistaken the
Durseys for the Mizenhead,didnotreachBantry-bayuntilthe 24th.
On the morning of the 23d, the people of Cork were thrown
into consternation by accounts which arrived of a large fleet
having been seen off Bantry. The militia and fencible regi-
ments were immediately despatched to this town, whilst the
loyal Cork legion and the Cork volunteers got under arms, and
a detachment of cavalry from both escorted the artillery to Bandon,
and other parties of them went off to the different towns of
210 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Munster, to order iii the military quartered there. All the citizens
capable of carrying arms enrolled themselves amongst the
yeomanry, and a determined resolution to resist the invaders
seemed to pervade every class of the population. On the 24th
the French fleet consisting of seven ships of the line, and two
ships armte enjiute, besides frigates and transports, making in
the whole seventeen sail, anchored in the bay. Lieutenant
Prosheau a French officer, with eight men, was driven on shore in
a boat, in an attempt to leave one of the vessels which had been
dismasted in the late storm. Being taken prisoners by the
peasantry, they were sent" to Cork, and from thence to Dublin, to
be examined before the privy council. The French fleet
remained in the bay until the 27th, when they quitted their
station without having made any further attempt to land, and on
the 28th the last division sailed out of the bay. On the 30th,*
four ships of sixty-four guns, three frigates, two razures, and two
corvettes, with some transports, sailed into the bay and landed
about five hundred men on Whiddy island, but not for the purpose
of invasion, as it afterwards appeared that they were convalescent
troops, who were sent there for their health, and had paid forsuch
provisions as they required. On the 2d January there were
thirteen ships at anchor across the mouth of the bay, from Beer
island to Sheep head, of which two were line of battle ships, six
other ships lay south-west of the island of Whiddy, and one a
league from Bantry. At about two o'clock in the day abrig, having
worked up the bay from the principal fleet, made a signal to these
ships, which was returned by a shot from one of them. They
* Extract of a letter from colonel White, dated Bantry, Dec. 30th 1796.
"A lugger this day came to anchor back of Whiddy island full of men, eight
of my tenants went on board with provisions, and were detained. An
American brig came to anchor before the house this instant, she saw two
French frigates, one of twenty guns, the larger at anchor near Beer island, the
frigates fired at her — they are at anchor with the lugger — they have a small
English brig — no otlier ships in our bay — the rest must be disposed of; I went
to Whiddy to see the lugger, she cannot be so mad as to land. 5 o'clock at
night — what we thought were frigates are two sixty-fours, they appear as if
they were in an engagement from the shattered condition of their bowsprits
and rigging, and this from the report of our naval officer — they are at anchor
at the north side of the island. This instant admiral E]phinstone and Hull's
dispatches are that a French forty gun frigate three hundred and forty-six
seamen, with two hundred and thirty soldiers on board is wrecked at Barley-
cove, only seven saved. If Kingsmill could send any force to Elphinstone
they would be taken, all the country-people are prepared with pikes, spades,
&c. and will do their best.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 211
then set fire to a prize which they had taken, and five of them •'V^*
weighed anchor and sailed down the bay, leaving two ships of the
line behind them which appeared to be disabled. On the 3d
none of the ships were visible except these last mentioned vessels.
Previous to their leaving the bay a council of war was held, and
the troops had decided for landing under the guidance of some
Irishmen who were with them, but La Fraternite the admiral's
ship being still missing, and general Hoche being on board, they
resolved to put to sea. On the 15th Paris papers were received,
which announced the total failure of this expedition. The great-
est loyalty was exhibited by the country-people on this occasion,
they received the troops who marched to Bantry in the kindest
manner, sharing their provisions with them. In their absence
the loyal Cork legion and Cork volunteers, mounted the different
guards in the city of Cork.
Dec. 27" — During a heavy gale of wind, three vessels having
broken their moorings, were dashed with violence against Patrick's
bridge; one of them had her stern fixed in the centre arch, and
part of the portcullis was injured.
Jan. — The Hon. and Eev. Thomas St. Lawrence, Dean of 1797
Cork, and the Right Rev. Dr. Francis Moylan, were presented
with their freedom of this city in silver boxes.
Sept. 4. — A lighter laden with coalsbroke from her moorings,
and was driven against one of the cut-waters of St. Patrick's
bridge, by which she received such injury as caused her to sink.
20. — The lord lieutenant arrived in this city from Bantry,
escorted by the Yeoman cavalry and some troops of horse ; his
excellency conferred the honor of knighthood on Vosian Pick,
mayor. In the evening the town was illuminated, and his
excellency honored the theatre with his presence ; after which
he was escorted by two troops of horse to Dunkettle, the head
quarters of general Dalrymple.
JSTov. 14 — An explosion took place in one of the rooms of the old
barrack, by which some of the soldiers were severely burnt; but
by theassistance of the fire engines, the fire was soon extinguished.
This being the year of the Irish rebellion, the entire of the 1798
county of Cork was proclaimed by the lord lieutenant on the
16di of April.
212 CORK REMEMBRANCEU.
A.D. June 17. — Seventeen prisoners were brought to town from
1798
Bantry and its neighbourhood, charged with treason ; they were
escorted by the Bandon yeomanry.
Oct. 5. — General ilkiminations in this city for lord Nelson's
victory over the French fleet at the Nile.
iVou. 1. — This morning there was a most violent storm, by
which a house in Post-office lane was thrown down, and a woman
was blown into the water course and drowned : a number of
houses were unroofed and trees were torn up by the roots.
1799 Jati. 27. — An armed mob attacked the bridewell of Mitchels-
town, and liberated some prisoners confined there.
28. — There were bonfires and general rejoicings in this city for
the rejection of the act of union by the Irish parliament.
March 16. — General Lake gave directions for all persons in
this county to post upon their doors a list of the inhabitants in
each house, and that no person on any pretext whatever should be
absent from his house, during the hours between eight o'clock at
night and sunrise, and that any persons not complying with these
directions, should be made prisoners, and immediately sutler what-
ever punishment a court martial might adjudge.
Mai/ 9. — The body of a deserter, who had been shot, was
exposed suspended to a lamp iron, as a public spectacle of shame
until the following evening, when it was buried.
Jic7ie 20. — Preparations were made for a considerable encamp-
ment at Monkstown.
June 22. — One Kidney died in this city at the age of 150
years. He remembered when Blarney-lane was a forest, and
connected with Dunscombe's wood.
^H(/. 3. — The marquis Cornwallis, lord lieutenant of Ireland,
accompanied by lords Brome and Longuevillc, and colonel
Littlehales arrived here from Castlemary; they were met at
Glanmireby detachments from the loyal Cork legion cavalry and
Berwick horse, and a great concourse of spectators, who unhar-
nessed the horses from his carriage, and drew him to his lodgings
on the Terrace, amidst shouts of joy.
Sept. — Nile-street was arched over.
Oct. 10. — It was the practice to hunt dogs through the streets
of this city, which was complained of in this day's paper.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 213
JVov. 4. — In the Hibernian Chronicle of this date, appears A. D.
the following paragraph, " last Saturday, departed this life, to
the great joy of the Croppies, Laurence Kelly, finisher of the
law for the City and County of Cork."
6.— The Bridewell in Mitchelstown was broken open, and
three persons confined there for debt, liberated.
1 1 . — In consequence of a statement sent up to government by
the council of this city, the further exportation of potatoes,
which had been advanced to an immoderate price in our market,
was prohibited by a proclamation from his excellency the lord
lieutenant, in consequence of which, a large quantity,which were
this day to have been shipped, were countermanded, until further
instructions should arrive from the privy council.
Dec. 7. — A tremendous fire broke out in the Eed Abbey
sugar-house, which raged with unabating fury until the next day,
by which, property to a large amount was consumed.
19. — Between 3 and 4 o'clock this morning, a party of ruffians
attacked a house in the neighbourhood of Bridgemount, near
Macroom, and forcibly carried off" a young woman, who had
lodged informations against some cow stealers.
Jan.— A house was taken in Hanover street for a Lying-in
Hospital.
9. — One Roche, a prisoner, who had broken out of the new
gaol, surrendered to the military power at Lismore, and was
brought back to this city, under an escort of a detachment
of the Glentworth dragoons.
.April 23. — There was a public dinner at the Bush tavern,
lord Riversdale in the chair, when a petition to his majesty
against the Union was introduced, previous to the conviviality
of the day.
At a meeting of the city Grand Jury, held during the Spring
Assizes in the city Grand Jury room, it was resolved unanimously,
*' that the sentiment of the city of Cork in favor of a Legislative
Union with Great Britain, has already been expressed in the
most decided and unequivocal manner, and that the ineffectual
efforts, which have been made to represent this city as entertaining
a contrary sentiment, afford to us the most decisive evidence,
T
1800
214 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D, that the great majority of our fellow-citizens, in point of wealth,
loyalty, and steady attachment to the constitution, still continue
to approve of the measure."
The foregoing resolution was also signed by the mayor,
sheriffs, and common speaker, in testimony of their approbation
of the same.
May 12. — The current price of coals was, at this time, from
8s. 8d. to 9s. 9d. per barrel.
George Charles JefFereys, and William Edward Penrose, Esqrs.
set out from this city for London, to present a petition to his
majesty, against the measure of a Legislative Union, signed by
five thousand freemen, freeholders, merchants, traders and
manufacturers.
23. — In consequence of it having been the custom for soldiers
to seize cars, bringing provisions to this city, the mayor applied
to major-general Myers, who promised that any person, so
offending, should receive instantaneous punishment, upon
complaint being made to the mayor, sheriffs, or the major-general
himself.
June 4. — Being the anniversary of the king's birth day, was
observed with the usual demonstrations of joy.
8. — One of the mills of the gunpowder manufactory, near this
city, blew up, but though the explosion was felt at a very
considerable distance, no person was hurt, nor did the manufac-
tory suffer any material loss or impediment to its operations, as
the accident was confined to one spot.
23. — This day two French sailors and an officer were escorted
into town by a detachment of the Berwick cavalry ; they were
taken at Clonakilty, and belonged either to a French frigate or
privateer ; they were after landing from a boat to procure fresh
water.
28. — The troop ships which had been for some time stationed
at Cove, sailed from thence this evening, with the 31st and 63d
regiments on board, bound on the secret expedition.
Juhj 10. — Extract of a letter from Bandon, which was inserted
in the Hibernian Chronicle of this date: — "the loyalty of this
town never appeared more conspicuously than on the glorious
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 215
first of July. The windows decked out with green boughs, A. D.
variegated with flowers and orange liUes, were beautifully
romantic, and appeared, at a distance, as so many hanging
gardens, while the mind was awfully impressed at the sight of
those royal culprits, king James and queen Mary, who were
hanged, shot at, and consigned to the flames, as they ought to be.
The spectators beheld with pleasing astonishment, king William,
placed on the spire of one of the churches, majestically moving
in the air, riding over a salmon, painted orange colour, with
purple fins."
" The battle of the Books, so humourously described by Swift,
was nothing to the real battle, that took place between the caps ;
in the beginning, the country women, who were accustomed to
pluck the sheep, had by far the advantage, when a reinforcement
coming down to the orange girls, victory was soon decided in
their favour, when caps, ribbons, and hair were plentifully
scattered about."
July 12. — An aflTray took place between a number of the
labouring inhabitants of Ross Carberyand a body of Orangemen,
in which several persons were wounded.
20. — A number of ruffians who had assembled in the neigh-
bourhood of Glanville, which had of late been much disturbed at
night, were surprised and made prisoners.
^ug. 4. — The poor families of the union of Aghada,
returned thanks, in the Hibernian Chronicle of this date, to Mr.
Fitzgerald of Corkbeg, three hundred of whom owed their daily
support to him for several months ; one of his children assisting
to see them plentifully supplied at his own residence.
23. — A most dreadful fire broke out in Cat lane, by which
fifty thatched houses were destroyed.
Sept. 9. — Admiral Kingsmill gave a grand entertainment at
Scraggs' hotel, to the merchants of this city,
JVov. — The escort of dragoons, which attended the Irish mail
coaches, was ordered to be augmented.
General Barber visited Bantry, to inspect the forts, &c.
21. — Admiral sir Alan Gardner arrived at Cove, to take the
command of the fleet on the Irish station.
216 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Dec. 9. — This night a most alarming fire broke out, and
destroyed, with all the goods in it, the tallow-house of Mr.
Hawkes, in the South-main-street.
1801 Jan. 1. — Being the first day of the union between Great
Britain and Ireland, the garrison of this city, consisting, for the
most part, of foreign mercenaries, assembled at 12 o'clock this
morning on Lapp's Island, where the imperial union flag
was displayed, and fired a salute of twenty-one rounds in
honour of it, it was afterwards prefixed to a coronet, and drawn
by a train of artillery and placed at the lower end of the Grand
Parade.
24. — A fleet of 150 merchantmen sailed from this harbour.
Feb. — By order of the lord lieutenant and privy council,
foreign flour was admitted free of duty.
24. — Provisions being at this time very dear, a number of
starving artists and labourers collected in the northern suburbs,
but upon being recommended to disperse, they selected a
deputation, which attended at the mansion house, and piteously
lamented the want of employment, and the enormous price of
provisions. General Myers, who was present, exhorted them to
behave peaceably, and their wants should be taken into
consideration. In consequence a committee was appointed to
procure a regular supply of corn in the public markets, to
examine into the high price of provisions, and consider how far
the evil might be remedied, to provide additional soup-houses,
and to ascertain who required assistance. The corn-holders and
millers also came forward, and pledged themselves not to permit
any grain to be sent from the city.
March 5. — In the Hibernian Chronicle of this date, it was
stated, that there had not been a boy in St. Stephen's, or the
Blue coat hospital for two years past, in consequence of the
income of the charity being spent in repairing the building.
12. — General Champayne was presented with his freedom by
the provost and corporation of Bandon.
Jutie 4. — Being the king's birth day, the imion flag was
displayed on the Grand Parade; at noon the troops fired ajeu de
joie, preceded by twenty-one rounds of cannon, discharged by
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 217
the artillery on Lapp's island, and the day concluded with every A. D.
. ,. / ^ ^ ^ 18U1
demonstration oi joy.
30. — Joseph America, a private of baron Hompesch's regiment,
having been tried by a court martial for disobeying orders and
firing at his serjeant, was shot at the Mardyke field. He received
death with great firmness.
Juhj. — The Wexford militia arrived in this city to replace the
Dutch troops.
^ug. 5. — The corporation elected the Rev. Alexander
Kennedy, curate of Christ Church, their chaplain, in place of
the Rev. Henry Sandiford, who had resigned.
12. — ^There was a grand oratorio in Christ Church.
iSept. 7. — This day the toll of St. Patrick's bridge for one year
was sold by auction for £1400.
8. — ^The lord lieutenant issued a proclamation, commanding
all persons in the maritime towns to drive and remove all cattle
and stock to a depot in the interior, to be appointed for their
reception, in case they were required to do so by the commander
of the district.
21. — A gate was ordered to be placed on the Red-house walk,
and a porter's lodge to be erected near it, to prevent any horses
from passing, except those of the military, or of such persons as
had pasture grounds above the gate, who were allowed to lead
them.
Oct. 7. — A general illumination, in consequence of the
preliminaries for peace between Great Britain and France
having been signed.
21. — A proclamation issued, permitting malting and distillation
from Jan. I, 1802.
23. — The city convicts, who were lodged in the new county
gaol, broke through the prison wall, and nearly efiected their
escape.
^ov. 29. — A woman was found dead in Grafton's alley,
supposed to have been murdered in the night by some soldiers ;
her skull was fractured, and her body was almost naked.
uijjril 11. — A man fell into the dock of the South-mall, a 18J2
short distance below the termination of the part lately filled.
218 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. In this year the Royal Cork InstiUition was founded by
1803 J J J
subscription amongst private gentlemen of the city and county,
for diffusing the knowledge, and facilitating the introduction of
all improvements in the arts and manufactures, and for teaching,
by lecture, the application of science to the coiumon purposes of
life. The obvious usefulness of such an institution recommended
it to the favorable consideration of government, and in 1807 the
proprietors obtained a royal charter of incorporation, and a
parliamentary grant of £2000 per annum ; for several years,
lectures were annually given on natural history, natural
philosophy, chemistry, botany, mineralogy, and other useful
branches of science; but in 1830 the grant was withdrawn and
the lectures consequently discontinued ; on withholding the grant
government presented to the proprietors, the old custom-house,
a large building in Nelson-place, subject to a rent of £Q5 per
annum, to which the crown was previously liable ; there are at
present, belonging to the institution, museums of natural history
and mineralogy, and a scientific and medical library, containing
more than five thousand volumes.
Jan. 17. — A sailor walked over the Coal-quay from Harper's
lane into the river, and was drowned.
Feb. — ^The new Theatre was opened in Patrick-street, after
having been considerably altered.
March 14. — An address to his Majesty was voted by the
corporation on his escape from a treasonable conspiracy.
There was a very hot press in this city, when several seamen
were obtained.
15. — A proclamation was issued for calling out the militia of
Ireland, in consequence of the preparations then carrying on in
the ports of France and Holland.
22. — The issuing of press warrants having, by the consterna-
tion into which the people were thrown, put stop to labour in the
vicinity of the harbour, commodore Domett gave notice that
none but seamen should be impressed.
In consequence of an application from the mayor, the lord
lieutenant directed commodore Domett, to permit all boats, em-
ployed in supplying this city with provisions, to pass free without
any hindrance from the press gangs.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 219
^pril\. — ^Thc loyal Cork legion paraded in Patrick street ; A. D.
their appearance was military and respectable.
16. — An influenza prevailed in this city.
May 9. — It was mentioned in a Cork newspaper of this date,
that a practice of stripping children was very prevalent here.
11. — Several articles of wearing apparel, which were inde-
cently hung upon the railing round the statue, on the Grand
Parade, were seized by the sheriffs.
The freedom of this city was granted to Oliver Carleton, of
Darling-hill, co Tipperary.
15. — The Yeomanry of this city were inspected by captain
Palmer, the Brigade Major of the district, and, notwithstanding
the length of time since they had been on duty, presented a soldier-
like appearance.
16. — It was mentioned in this day's paper, that the state of the
pavement in the Main-street and on Parliament-bridge was
truly alarming.
20, — Commodore Domett was commanded to prevent the
sailing of vessels from this harbour until further orders.
Camp equipage for 11,U00 infantry and a proportionate
number of cavalry, was ordered to be prepared immediately in
this district.
Our City Regiment of Militia was reviewed by Gen. Myers.
June 4. — At a numerous and respectable meeting of the
noblemen, gentlemen, clergy, and freeholders of this county,
convened by the High Sheriff; It was resolved," that a subscrip-
tion be entered into, to give additional bounties to such seamen
as would voluntarily enter into his Majesty's naval service."
5. — A woman in a fit of insanity leaped from the cliff near the
Holy Ground at Cove, with an infant in her arms, and was
dashed to pieces on the rocks, the child was not injured.
8. — The Corporation voted an address to his Majesty.
11 — The Sheriffs presented Commodore Domett, with the
freedom of this city in a silver box.
July 4. — Barracks for 2,000 men were taken at Bandon.
13. — The mayor, having received from the Lord Lieutenant
the heads of the act of parliament for raising an army of reserve
220 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. to serve in the united kingdom for five years, or until six months
18U3
after peace, and having ascertained that the number to be raised
by this City was 280 men, issued a proclamation diiefcting the
constables to take measures for more speedily obtaining the
necessary supply of men.
24. — Upwards of two hiuidred persons, including several
gentlemen of the first respectability, offered themselves as recruits
to the Loyal Cork Legion.
Aug. 7. — A female was dreadfully wounded in the face, in
Bridge-Street, by a young man to whom she addressed herself,
and who fired at her with a gun loaded with shot. The fellow
was secured, but afterwards rescued by the populace.
9. — A barrel of gunpowder in one of the waggons used for
conveying it from the manufactory to the place of export,in passing
down George's-street, became so loose that the powder fell in a
train along the street, and one of the car horses having struck
fire with his shoes, the powder on the ground became ignited
and blew up ; no further injury was done^ but great consternation
was caused in the neighbourhood of the explosion.
24. — A presentment for filling up the dock near the old Custom
house, which had been a gross and pernicious nuisance, was
passed by the grand jury.
Sept. 1. — A letter of this date appeared in the Mercantile
Chronicle, claiming the Earldom of Bearhaven, and deducing a
long genealogy in support of it ; it was signed Honora O'Sullivan.
4. — Between 2 and 3' clock this morning, eight houses and a
forge on the lands of Callas, in the parish of Inniscarra, were
set on fire by a set of villains and consumed. The Muskerry
corps, commanded by Capt. Warren, succeeded in apprehending
seven persons.
27 — A plowing match took place at a field given by Mr. McCarthy
of Patrick-street ; the competitors were not so numerous as was
expected. Though the long continuance of dry weather rendered
the work almost impracticable, yet the plowmen evinced a skill
and knowledge of their business, which gave great satisfaction to
the numeroiis spectators.
Oct. 1 . — As two men were employed in deepening the well-
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 221
shaft on Windmill-hill, by blasthia; the rock at the bottom, the A. D.
powder became ignited, and exploded before they could be
drawn up in the bucket ; by which one had his leg dreadfully
shattered, the other was but slightly hurt.
17,— Several coal porters, styled in the Mercantile Chronicle
of this date, the most refractory class of men in this City, and
whose reluctance, indolence and exactions had been so frequent,
that they had become general grievances, were committed to
gaol by the mayor for refusing to work.
21. — At a late hour this night. General Campbell received an
express, announcing that three large men of war were disem-
barking troops in Sligo bay. In consequence of the alarm which
was caused by this infonnation, the garrison of this City was
turned out, and at two o'clock, the 46th, the Queen's German,
and a detachment from the light brigade of artillery, were in
marching order ; shortly after the yeomanry corps assembled
to the number of 1200 in Patrick-street ; about three
o'clock, lights were placed in all the windows of the principal
streets, which were very necessary, as all the city lamps had been
by some chance extinguished. A little before day-break two
regiments and a detachment of artillery marched to Mallow,
when the garrison duty devolved upon the yeomanry and the
Tipperary militia. The arrival of an express about half-past three
in the afternoon, stating that the ships were three of our own
frigates, put an end to the alarm. In Cove also much anxiety was
evinced ; and such men of war as were then in the harbour
prepared to put to sea. As the wind was unfavourable it became
necessary to tow the ships out, in which all the fishermen
and boatmen, and every person who was able to seize an oar,
assisted.
23. — ^The troops which had marched to Mallow returned ;
on their march they were hospitably entertained by the peasants
in the neighbouring cottages.
The Cloyne yeomanry volunteered to serve in any part of the
kingdom.
Nov. 3. — Fourteen houses were consumed by fire at Carrig-
towhill.
222 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. 10. — This afternoon, one of the houses belonging to the
powder mills within four miles of the City, blew up ; the con-
cussion which was caused, was felt at the west end of the City ;
by this accident five men were killed.
Dec. 5. — It was stated in the Mercantile Clironicle of this day,
that the inhabitants of Cork would soon be relieved from the
billeting of soldiers, as the extensive new Barrack above St.
Patrick's-hill was nearly covered in, and would be habitable in
thecourse of the next summer. These barracks, which were since
finished, are conveniently adapted for the accommodation of
1994 men, with stabling for 232 horses, and contain an hospital
capable of receiving 120 patients.
10. — The Dublin mail coach, in crossing Kil worth momitain,
was overturned by a violent gust of v/ind, none of the passengers
received any material injury.
16. — Workmen were employed in erecting military works at
Ban try.
30. — Captain Maguire,R.N. arrived in this City, to superintend
the erection of signal posts upon this coast.
1^01 Ja7i. — Sir Charles Holloway superintended the erection of
works on Spike Island, and Carlisle and Camden forts; between
four and five hundred men were employed.
Feb. — An institution of marine yeomanry, termed " Sea
Fencibles," was established for the defence of the coast against
invasion.
10. — Several persons were arrested in a public house in
George's-street, charged with having been present at seditious
meetings.
17. — The plan and elevation of a new bridge intended to be
thrown across from the North-Abbey to the corner of Grenville-
place were approved of : this bridge however was never built.
It was in contemplation at this time also to make an entrance
from Smiday's Well into the City by Hamon's Marsh.
March 28. — The establishment of signal posts along this coast
was carried on with expedition ; strong buildings, capable of
lodging the naval officer and his assistants, as well as
containing a detachment of armed men, were built in the most
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 223
proper place contiguous to the signal posts. They were so A.D.
constructed that they were entered by a ladder from the top.
The right of prisage on all wines imported into this kingdom,
an old grant of the crown to the Earls of Ormond, (but which
had been for a considerably time possessed by the Commissioner
of his Majesty's revenue,) was restored to the present Earl, who
appointed Bryan Sheehy, Esq., a collector of prisage in this
port, with instructions to receive it in kind.
Jlpril 9. — The city of Cork militia volunteered its services to
England.
13. — The new quay, directed in the will of Mr. Smith Barry
to be built at Cove, was completed by his executors.
16. — By order of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
two buoys were laid down in our harboxir, one upon the harbour
rock, and the other upon the turbot bank.
28. — The sea fencibles at Cove were reviewed by Captain
Countess. Their boats were divided into six divisions and started
from the new quay, affording a gratifying sight to the spectators.
An alarming fire in Walker's distillery, it raged for six hours,
but was at last got under without very much damage being done.
May 25. — V/as observed in this city as a general fast, by his
majesty's proclamation.
The Courtmasherry cavalry volunteered to serve in any part of
the kingdom, in case of invasion or rebellion.
28. — ^The wooden bridge, called Parliament-bridge, over the
south branch of the Lee, was this morning carried away by the
flood.
Ju7ie 6. — Major-General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B., the Earl and
Countess of Cork, Lord and Lady Gardner, and several military
and naval officers, went to Spike Island, to attend the ceremony
of laying the first stone of the new works about to be erected
there ; it was laid on the S.E. part of the Island.
18. — A man, having missed his way among the ruins of Parlia-
ment-bridge, fell into the river and was drowned.
29. — A pig trap was established in this City ; it was a machine
drawn by two horses, and large enough to contain a considerable
number of voracious pigs, which then jnfested the streets.
224 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. Julij 23. — There was a regatta at Kinsale.
1804
August. — Several streets, vvhich had not hcen so hefore, were
now distinguished by being labelled.
10. — A boat race took place at Cove..
22. — The first and second battalion of the 28th and the
' second battalion of the 48th regiment, and the South Mayo
Regiment of Militia, entered this city, and on the following day,
with the garrison then here, marched to an encampment at
Killady-hill within a few miles of this city. In consequence of
this arrangement the yeomanry commenced garrison duty, and
the main guard was taken by a part of the Loyal Cork Legion.
Sept. 17. — This day the camp at Killady-hill, broke up, and
the troops returned to the different quarters, which they occupied
previous to its formation.
Field officers were appointed to the yeomanry and volunteer
corps of this kingdom.
Two new houses on the Blackrock road were burnt.
Oct. 1 . — The city magistrates, immediately after being sworn
into office, set off for Lord Gardner's at Cove, to pay their
respects to the Lord Chancellor, and in the name of the corpo-
ration to invite him to the Mansion-house. His Lordship how-
ever declined the honour.
10. — The signal posts, which had been erected upon the coast,
were ordered by government to be weather-slated.
19. — The mayor gave public intimation of receiving proposals
for scavengers for the different parishes, over whom he intended
to place a superintendent in each parish. From these arrange-
ments it was expected, that this city would recover from the
stigma of being one of the dirtiest in the empire.
A martello tower of unusual magnitude was constructed toward
the N.W. point of Whiddy Island. Its interior diameter was
240 feet.
Nov. 2. — The works upon Bear island were carried on, upon
a more considerable scale, than had been at first intended. The
battery was circular, with four Martello towers at proper intervals.
Dec. 2. — x\ fire broke out in the stores and concerns of
Messrs. Lecky and Cotter, on the South Parade.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 225
An organ which had been made by a Mr. Haddock, a citizen A. D.
of Cork, and lately won at a raffle of one hundred and fifty
persons, at a guinea each, by Mr. James Haly bookseller, was
presented by him to the chapel in Cross-street.
8. — The river Lee was swollen to an excessive height by the
heavy rain, which was accompanied by a gale of wind this night,
by which material injury was done to several mills in the
neighbourhood of this city. The large conduit, which conveyed
the water across the river from the Iron mills of Mr. O'Sullivan,
at Haly's bridge, to his Paper mill, was totally swept away,
together with a great part of the quay at each side, by which
these extensive mills were prevented from working for some
time ; the mills of Messrs. Phair and Stotesbury also received
much damage.
29. — ^The stables onWhiddy island belonging to Mr. Mahony,
who had contracted for erecting the batteries there, caught fire,
and twenty-five horses were destroyed.
Jan. 1 . — A buoy was placed on the bank in our harbour where 1805
the spit or beacon stood.
14. — The 89th regiment was reviewed on the Grand Parade
by Lord Blayney.
27. — There was a violent storm which did some mischief to
the trading vessels in this harbour.
Feb.20 — Was observed as a day of prayer and general fast,
the corporation went in procession to Christ Church.
March 13. — Rear Admiral Drury's arrival at Cove, where he
hoisted his flag, was celebrated by the inhabitants with illumina-
tions and bonfires.
l7. — The friendly brothers went in procession to Upper
Shan don Church.
21. — This being the anniversary of the glorious 21st of March
1801, Major Le Mesurier who then commanded the 87th regt.,
entertained the men of that regiment, who had served in Egypt,
with an excellent dinner and a plentiful supply of porter and
punch. The evening being fine, the tables were laid out in the
barrack yard, and nearly 180 men partook of this well bestowed
generosity.
226 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A-D. April 3. — The following paragraph appears in the Corh
Mercantile Chronicle of this date — " Our total indifference, in
this city, to every thing which concerns our public accommoda-
tion and credit, has become, a subject of wonder. Our nuisances
seem to have a procreative power, and every day seems to shew
some vexatious instance of their abominable fecundity. The day
traveller runs the risk of being blinded from the screening of
lime ; he is often intercepted in his way by the lagoons of water,
which the obstruction of the public sewers retain in the streets,
and if he be not rode over by the gallopers, who charge along
the streets, or run over by the cars, which are whirled along
with no less rapidity, he may felicitate himself, on his
return home, upon the cheap terms of such injury as he may
receive in tumbling over a few of the many heaps of rubbish,
which principally occupy our public ways. If the traveller by
night escapes drowning, he has no right to complain, for what,
with the darkness of the lamps, and the naked and unfenced state
of the quays, to survive a night walk is become a matter of family
thanksgiving. Every stranger, who approaches this, the third
city in his Majesty's dominions, does it at the peril of his life,
and one of the least dangerous of the high ways into town, is now
through a sort of canal of mud, and has been so for a longtime.
* * It was but a few nights ago that the gulph and huge
stones of Barrack-street had nearly proved fatal to an emment
officer of this garrison."
May 14. — ^About 4 o'clock this evening as a gentleman, his
wife and child, were coming to this city in a post chaise, they
were stopped by two highwaymen armed, about 4 miles from
town on the Dublin road, and robbed.
June 11. — The Right Hon. Col. Lord Blayney was presented
with his freedom of this City, in a silver box, by the mayor,
sheriffs, and town-clerk. Lieutenant-Colonel Walsh was also
presented with his freedom.
23. — The different fire engines of this city were inspected by
the mayor on Lapp's Island, to ascertain their efficiency, in the
event of fire in the city.
jlug. 5. — Henry Martyn, afterwards so celebrated as a
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 227
missionary in the East Indies, arrived at Cove on board the Union A. D.
East Indiaman, then in company with a large fleet under the
command of Captain Byng. While the vessels remained in this
harbour, Mr. Martyn endeavoured to procure an admission to a
pulpit in Cork, as well as to preach to the convicts going out
with the fleet to Botany Bay, but was unsuccessful in both these
attempts. Mr. Martyn regularly read prayers, and preached once
every Sabbath on board his own ship, lamenting that the captain
would not permit the performance of more than one service.
This being the case his usefulness in the ship depended much, he
conceived, on his private ministrations. Scarcely a day therefore
passed without his going between the decks, where, after assem-
bling all who were willing to attend, he read to them some
religious book, upon which he commented as he went on. The
passengers, as he describes, were inattentive, the officers many of
them sat drinking so that he could overhear their noise, and the
captain, was with them. " How melancholy and humiliating,"
he states in his journal, " is this mode of public ordinances on
ship-board, compared with the respect and joy with which the
multitudes came up to hear my brethren on shore ! But this
prepares me for preaching amongst heedless Gentiles."
u4.ug. 19. — The assizes proving maiden, the city high sheriffs,
presented the Hon. Judge Finucane and the Right Worshipful
Robert Briscoe, Esq., with elegant white gloves richly fringed
with gold.
29. — The East India fleet and transports, with their convoy,
got under weigh, and came to anchor outside the harbour, where
they continued moored until the 30th, when from the prevalence
of contrary winds, it was judged expedient to order them back
to the harbour, and they accordingly returned, but as the wind
shifted to the northward on the following morning, they all sailed
with a favourable breeze.
Sept. 4. — The Grand Jury of this city presented £100, to be
applied to the construction of a new road, which was necessary
to render the communication between Cork, Kerry, Mallow and
Kanturk, easy and convenient.
Oct. 9. — The mayor seized as many pigs this morning as filled
228 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. the conservator's pig trap, which the owners, under the security
of a wet day, had turned into the streets to provide for themselves.
JSTov. — T\^o thousand pounds were subscribed towards erecting
a Commercial Building in this Citj'.
11. — Illuminations in celebration of the battle of Trafalgar.
Dec. 2. — Every shop in the town of Cove was kept shut for
two days, to testify the regret of the inhabitants for the death of
Admiral Kingsmill.
6. — The corporation voted to the late mayor, Charles Evanson,
a service of plate worth £200, for the dignified and hospitable
manner in which he had supported the office of Chief Magistrate
of this city during his mayoralty.
1806 Feb. 11. — About two o'clock, the Britannia of Liverpool,
near 600 tons burden, blew up near Cove, with a tremendous
explosion; the ships near her sustained no injury, two of the
crew were saved, as well as her papers, and several other articles
of value. The number of persons lost were twelve.
March 5. — There being, at this time, a conspiracy to cry down
the currency of legal half-pence, the mayor determined to punish
any person, who refused to take them, with the utmost rigour,
and accordingly, one Michael Hayes was this day fined 5s. 5d.,
and ordered to be committed to Bridewell in default of payment,
for an offence of this nature.
A petition from this city, soliciting leave to erect a new gaol,
was presented to the house of commons by Mr. Hutchinson, and
referred to a committee.
April 14. — In consequence of the remonstrances of the
magistrates of this city, government ordered that no more
gunpowder should be deposited in the ordnance stores on
Charlotte quay, previous to exportation, but conveyed direct
from the manufactory at Ballincollig, through roads, not within
the city or its suburbs, and deposited at Blackrock, or at some
other place equally distant.
A young boy was sentenced to be burned on the hand and
imprisoned for a year for theft.
16. — There being no capital conviction this assizes, the judges
were presented with gold fringed gloves by the sheriffs.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 229
1896
Jlpril 16 — An extraordinary collection of whales was observed A. D.
on the S.W. coast of this county.
10. — Mr. Hoare, as father of the Munster bar, convened that
body, then in this city, to vote an address to Mr. Ponsonby, who
was sworn into office as lord chancellor, while they were on
circuit.
A human skeleton, around which was found the remnant of a
garment most richly ornamented, with broad plates of figured
gold of considerable value, was discovered in a quarry in the
neighbourhood of Castlemartyr ; several amber beads, much
injured by time, and something resembling a mitre in shape,
were also found.
June 28. — The body of a man, who had killed himself, was
interred in a church-yard near Blarney, whence it was taken up
by the country people in the neighbourhood. It was again
'committed to the earth by the man's relatives, in Ballinamought
church-yard; but the superstition of the people not suffering it to
remain there either, it was a second time taken up, and exposed
for some days with the lid of the coffin open, (a shocking
spectacle,") on the upper Youghal road.
^ug. 2. — As Mr. Sheriff Maguire and his servant were
patrolling the streets, they heard the cries of a female in Castle-
street, and proceeding to the spot, found her surrounded and
cruelly treated by about twenty ruffians. The sheriff seized upon
one of the most active of the delinquents, and committed the
woman to the care of his servant, and was proceeding to lodge
the man in Bridewell, when he was followed down Cock-pit
lane by the rest of the gang, who attacked him with a shower of
stones ; after some time, perceiving that his servant was knocked
down by a stone, and being himself struck in the leg, he fired a
pistol and wounded one of the assailants in the neck, on which
they immediately dispersed, and the sheriff conducted his prisoner
without further opposition to the Bridewell.
18. — There was a boat race at Blackrock; three silver cups
(value five guineas each) were rowed for.
27. — The assizes ended, and proving maiden, the sheriffs
presented the judges with a pair of gold fringed gloves each.
U
230 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. Sept. 15. — Died at the Hotwells, in Bristol, Patrick O'Brien^
1806
the Irish giant. This extraordinary man, whose height exceeded
eight feet, was born at Kinsale, and had long been the wondei*
of the age. Pie was interred at the Cathohc chapel in Trenchard-
street, Bristol. The stupendous coffin prepared for him
by an undertaker at Bristol, was 9 feet 5 inches in
length • and five men got into it with ease and had the lid
placed upon it. The brass plate contained the following inscrip-
tion : — " Pat. Cotter O'Brien, of Kinsale, Ireland, whose stature
was 8 feet, I inch. Died, Sept. 8, 1806, aged 46 years." The
deceased belonged to the masonic order of Knights Templars.
Oct. — Two soldiers were killed in an affray with some country-
men at Clonakilty.
Dec. 2. — ^During a violent storm at W.N.W. which happened
this day and the preceding night, several accidents occurred in
this city. The principal part of a liouse was blown down at the
new Ban-acks ; many chimneys were also destroyed.
Government ordered storehouses to be built on Hawlbowling
Island, to enable his Majesty's ships on the Irish station to refit
and victual, without returning to an English port for that
purpose.
1807 Jan. 3. — The mail coach from Dublin broke dovm near Eath-
cormack ; after an ineff'ectual attempt to repair it, the mail was
forwarded on a car to town.
Feh. 16. — ^The Cork and Dublin mail coach was this night
stopped at Red Gap, in the county Kildare, by 10 or 12 armed
ruffians. The guard fired a case of pistols, and a blunderbuss,
the latter of which havingmissed fire three times, the mails would
inevitably have been robbed but for a naval officer. Lieutenant
Alexander, the only passenger, who came out of the coach, gave
battle to the entire, and brought oft" the coach in triumph.
April 4. — About 12 o'clock this night a pistol was fired into
the dwelling-house of Mr. John Fitzgerald, in William-street ;
fortunately no person was hurt.
8. — ^Another attack on the Cork mail, this night, near Red Gap ;
several shots were fired at the coach, by which one of the mail
guards was severely wounded ; the other guard returned the fire^
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 231
ami the cofichman urging his horses forward, the mail was brought A. D.
off safely. The night was so dark that the assailants could scarcely
be seen.
20. — This evening a signal was made in our harbour, that an
enemy's fleet was off Cape Clear steering N.E., which excited
some alarm. The men of war in the harbour prepared to put to
sea, and the Cove yeomanry were under arras all night, ready
to proceed to reinforce the different forts in the harbour. It
proved however to be a homeward bound West India fleet.
Maij. — A beautiful new gate was erected at the entrance of the
dyke, with two handsome lamps constructed over it.
24. — The post-boy, bringing the mail from Cashel, imder the
escort of one of the 7th dragoon guards, quartered here, was
way-laid near Lower Green by three fellows, two of whom fired
at the guard. The post-boy directly tvunied, and hastened back
to Cashel, while the dragoon fired upon one of the villains, who
immediately fell ; the two others fled, and the dragoon pursued
the object of his charge, whom he overtook before he reached
Cashel.
30. — The sheriffs of Cork waited upon his grace the duke of
Richmond, in DubUn, to whom tliey presented an address from
their corporation, as well as the freedom of the city in a gold box.
Sir Arthur Wellesley was also presented with the freedom of this
city, in a silver box. The sheriffs were offered the honor of
knighthood, which they declined.
June 5. — The freedom of this city was presented to captain
Brace, of his majesty's ship Virginie,
16. — Four houses were burnt near White-point, Cove.
22 — The following appeared in the Cork Mercantile Chronicle
of this date, " to the barbarous and habitual custom of fastening
ropes to the horns of cattle intended for exportation, and by that
method conveying them (most frequently with the loss of their
horns,) into the vessels prepared for their reception, we earnestly
solicit the mayor's attention, certain that motives of policy, if not
those of mercy, should be consulted, in the abolition ox a practice
so repugnant to both."
Oct. 26. — Two gentlemen were robbed, about a mile and a
232 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A^D. half from town, by three foot-pads armed with pistols, the
robbers restored to one of the gentlemen his pocket-book and
watch, of which he had been robbed some time before.
A dreadful fire in Mr. Lane's porter breweiy, at St. Fin Barry's,
27.— A gentleman was stopped, about two miles from town,
on the Kinsale road, and dragged from bis horse by three armed
liien, and robbed.
Nov. 19. — The weather was uncormmonly stormy, the wind
was easterly, accompanied with heavy snow ; the severity of the
night totally disabled the lamp-lighters from doing their duty,
three of them were taken dangerously ill, from severe falls, and
the great cold and wet they experienced^ in endeavouring to light
the lamps.
24. — The coach from Dublin to Cork, having pei'sisted in
working through the snow, was forced to stop at Farmly turn-
pike, with a draft of ten horses-, which were endeavouring to draw
it out.
Dec. — A general order was issued at Cove, that the bodies of
such soldiers as should happen to die on board the transports,
while they remained in that port, should not receive the common
ceremonials of intennent, but be committed to the sea, sewed up
in the hammocks in which they died.
1808 Jan. 18. — "The queen's birth day was celebrated at the mansiors
house by a magnificent ball and supper. The preparations were
on a scale never perhaps equalled in this city ; emblematical
transparencies and wreaths of evergreens, interspersed with
llowers fancifully displayed, gave a most beautiful effect to the
different apartments. The ladies were all dressed in stufis, the
manufacture of this city.
Feb. 13. — Two men were buried in the ruins of a wall at the
North-mall distillery. They were conveyed, with their limbs
fractured, and bodies dreadfully contused, to the North Infirmary.
A number of miscreants infested the streets of this city, and
were so daring, that a night scarcely passed without some person
being knocked down, and beaten and robbed. One night they
forced a gentleman from between two ladies, whom he was con-
ducting home, and beat him, committing their usual robbery.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 233
?&vi3, on the following nighty severely injured anothor, by AD.
throwing empty bottles at him. The frequency of these outrages
at length induced the young gentlemen of this city to associate
for the detection of the marauders, and the protection of the
inhabitants^ and, directed by the activity of the city magistrates,
they succeeded in apprehending several.
April 1.— The corporation of Cork vot«d the freedom of this
city to Lord Manners, lord chancellor of Ireland, in a silver
box.
Parapets were erected on the quays of this city, by order of
the mayor.
13. — A hot impress took place at Cove, when some useful hands
were procured for the naval service
26. — General Floyd presented tlie 7ist regiment with new
•colours at the Barrack, The entire garrison were drawn out in
the square, and the general addressed the regiment in a soldier-
like and impressive manner.
29. — The mayor, being anxious to put a stop to the mischievous
and disgraceful custom, practised in this city on May eve, of
striking persons, particularly females, with nettles, gave public
notice, that he would punish with the utmost rigour, any person
detected in the commission of this savage offence.
June 3. — On this and the following day, the rain fell in such
torrents, that the mountain stream between the glen of Aherlow
and Galbally was overfJooded, by which several cows, pigs, &c.
M'ere washed away and k)st, and others were taken down for
more than a mile, but saved ; some acres of potatoes were also
washed away. In the memory of the oldest man resident in that
part of the country, there never was so great a flood.
June 30. — The postman, who was conveying the mails from
•Skibbereen to Bantry and Castletown, was attacked by two men
with their faces blackened, and robbed of the mail, after being
severely ill treated.
July 7. — Sir Arthur Wellesley and suite, arrived in this city,
at an early hour this day. The committee of merchants paid him
their respects, as the Chief Secretary of the Irish government.
On the following day he dined with the mayor.
234 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. Auq. 11. — General Sh- David Baird and suite, arrived at
1808
M'DowelFs hotel in this city.
According to annual custom the mayor and corporation, attend-
ed by a vast number of the gentry of this city, went down the
river in several yachts, and on their arrival at the harbour's
mouth, the ancient ceremony of throwing a dart, to ascertain the
limits of the mayor's magisterial authority on the water, was
performed in the usual manner.
22. — At the assizes held at this time in this city, amongst other
presentments, the following were passed by the grand Jury : —
£200 for covering over and filling 80 feet in length of Lapp's-
Islanddock, and making sewers ; £28 19s., for building a well
for the supply of water near Skiddyacre-lane ; £149, for arching
over 112 feet in length of the watercourse stream ; £13 5s., for
building a fan arch over part of the watercourse stream ; £57 r2s.
9d, for building walls at each side of the ditch from the Mardyke
walk to the ferry opposite Sunday "s-well ; £17 2s. 6d, for taking
down 188 feet in length of an old wall, to widen the road leading
from Cork to Blackrock ; £500 towards building a new gaol.
Sept. 2. — The son of the Marquis of Wellesley, Mr. Fitzakorly,
and their respective suites, arrived this morning at the Bush hotel,
ou their way to visit the Lakes of Killarney.
Oct. 16. — An alarming fire in old Chapel-lane, leading to the
Watercourse, by which 12 houses were burnt, and others injured
in the effort to prevent the progress of the fire.
iVow. 18. — About 5 o'clock this morning, there was a severe
gale of wind ; it blew from N.N.W., and with so much violence
that it tore up one of the largest trees in St. Fin Barry's church-
yard; the chimneys of Col. Young's house near the artillery
barracks were blown down, and falling on the roof, drove it in,
and carried down the floors of the back part of the house. The
ships at Cove rode out the storm, it being an oflfshore wind.
1809 Jan. 4. — The first annual meeting of the Indigent Eoom-
keeper's Society was held in this city.
March 20. — The Reverend Fitzgerald Tisdall was cruelly
murdered on the road between Ban try and Kcnmare, at a place
called the Priest's Leap,
fORK REMEMBRANCER. 235
March 6.— Bonjamia Wheatly, Esq., purser of his Majesty's A . D,
ship, Trent, presented the Cork Institution with a valuable col-
lection of curiosities, consisting of coins, drawings, &c., in return
for which, he was admitted an honorary member of the Institution.
15. — A terrible fire in the turpentine manufactory of Messrs.
Barrett and Keays, in St, Barry's j the whole of the concern was
consumed.
^pril. — An action, brought by Thomas Walker against William
Lumley, the representative of the pipe water Company, was tried
by Judge Day, in this city, for raising the weir near the pipe
water works to a certain height, and for shutting up two hatch-
ways, thereby diverting the water, which ought to flow through
the southern, into the northern channel. The facts of this case,
as they appeared in evidence, were these: — In the year 1765,
the weir was built by Nicholas Fitton, to assist a project, which
was then on foot, for making the river Lee navigable to Macromp;
but he was only suffered to make the weir 18 inches high, and
was compelled to put two hatches in it of sufficient breadth, to
let the water flow in abundance into the Southern channel. In
the year 1785 the weir was in some degree raised by an engineer
of the pipe water company, but not to a height sufficient to
exclude the water from the Southern channel, until in the
Summer of 1791, Mr. Attiwell Hayes, who was one of the pipe
water Company, raised it to the height of about six feet, and
blocked up the hatches. The Jury found a verdict for the
plaintiff", with six pence damages and six pence costs.
May 5. — One of the sheriffs was sent by the common council,
to communicate to the recorder the result of their deliberations,
as to his taking a seat with them in the council. They had ,
previously opposed his doing so, but upon his taking legal
proceedings to enforce his rights, they intimated their willing-
ness to acknowledge his claim to fraternity with them. The
recorder however declined the honour, but stated that in a few
days he would take his seat amongst them, upon the authority of
a mandamus.
The corporation granted £100, towards the relief of the
distressed tradesmen and manufacturers of this city.
236 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. A whale of about 40 feet long came into Kinsale. It went up
nearly two miles of the Bandon river, and was pursued by the
fishermen, who struck it several times with harpoons, but to no
effect, as it succeeded in getting out of the harbour.
Aug. 16.— The recorder was, upon the authority of a manda-
mus forth of his Majesty's Court of King's Bench, sworn into
the common council and took his seat as a member.
Sept. 24. — The common council entered into a resolution
to wear no clothes but those manufactured in this city.
Oct. 10. — The corporation determined to improve this city, by
pulling down the houses on the right of Blackmoor-lane, and
continuing Sullivan's-quay to the South-bridge.
An immense quantity of sprats and herrings was taken for
some days past ; in many instances the herring nets burst from
their weight of fish, and the sprats were taken in shoals by the
simplest means, and within a mile of this city.
The Lord Bishop of Cork and Boss signified his intention of
consecrating the new chapel of the Foundling Hospital, on the
25th inst.
J\rov. 3. — Three houses in Brandy-lane were blown up by
gunpowder, which a man, employed in the mills at Ballincollig
had privately brought home with him, for the purpose of selling
to the men who worked in an adjacent quarry ; several persons
•• were killed and wounded.
The Christian brotherhood was instituted this year; their
1811 present buildings in Peacock-lane were erected in the year
I8I5.
Feb. I. — A ruffian, of the name of Laffan, was seized by Mr.
• sheriff Besnard, accompanied by some of the peace ofllices of the
city, and a party of military. This daring villain had been for a
long time a sort of JRugant'mo in Cork, exciting terror wherever
he made his appearance.
2. — A man, wrapped in a great coat, passed the sentinel posted
at General Floyd's door, about three o'clock this morning, and
having given the customary reply to the sentinel's challenge, and
passed on a few paces, turned suddenly about and discharged a
pistol at him, which wounded him severely in the foot. The
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 237
mayor and sheriffs offered a reward of 100 guineas for the ''^■^^
detection of the villain, and Gen. Graham ordered each sentinel
for the future to load with ball cartridge, every evening after
sunset, for his protection.
JIa^/ 8. — As the Cork and Kerry coach was turning the corner
of a piece of ground, enclosed by Mr. Clarke, near Clarke's-
bridge, leading from Abbott's brewery, one of the leaders,
being a young horse, was startled at tlie rippling of the water,
and plunged so violently that he upset the coach, and there being-
no parapet wall on this part of the quay, the guard and outside
passengers were precipitated a considerable distance, but no
person was killed.
June 1. — An alarming fire in the malt store of Messrs. Beamish
and Crawford in Mary-street, which consumed the entire of that
building.
8. — An architect who had been directed by the corporation to
take down the corn-market, which was in a dangerous statQ,
had removed a considerable part of the roof, when the projecting
stone cornice, which terminated the upper pai-t of the wall, having
no superincumbent weight to counteibalance the projection,
fell down, at a moment when a number of persons were collected
vnider it. By this accident four persons were killed, and eight
or nine severely wounded.
29. — The Cork and Dublin mail was upset near AVatergrass-
hill, when proceeding over Blackhorse-bridge.
Juli/ 12. — The Duke of Richmond knighted the venerable
Mr. Purcell, whose singular intrepidity, in resisting an attack
made on his house at Highfort by a gang of ruffians, five of whom
he either killed or wounded, had been a subject of admiration
and surprize. The account of this transaction is as follows: —
On the night of the 11 th of March, about one o'clock, after Mr.
Purcell had retired to bed, he heard a noise outside the window
of the parlour, which adjoined the room he slept in ; there was a
door between the two rooms, but it had been nailed up, and some
of the furniture of the parlour placed against it. Shortly after
he heard the noise, tlie windows of the parlour were forced
in, upon which he immtdiately got out of bed, determined
238 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. to make resistance, when, recollecting that he had supped in his
bed-chamber, he proceeded to grope for a knife which had been
left there by accident, and having fortunately found it, advanced
to the door leading into the parlour, where he stood in calm
but resolute expectation that the progress of the robbers would
lead them to his bed-chamber. Soon after he heard the
furniture, which had been placed against the nailed up door,
displaced, and almost at the same moment, the door . itself
havingbeen burst open, the moon shone with great brightness, and
the light, streaming in through three large windows in the
paidour, afforded him a view, that would have made any but an
intrepid spirit not a little apprehensive ; his bed-room was
dark, the window shutters being closed, and thus without being
perceived himself, he saw standing before him, a body of armed
men, the foremost of whom were blackened. Armed only with
a knife, but aided by a dauntless heart, he took his station by
•the side of the door, and in a moment after, one of the villains
entered the room, upon which Mr. Purcell instantly stabbed him.
On receiving this thrust, the villain reeled back into the parlour,
crying out with an oath that he was killed, and shortly after
another who advanced was received in a similar manner, and
also staggered back into the parlour, crying out that he was
wounded. A voice from the outsidenow gave orders to fire into the
dark room, upon which a man stept forward, with a short gun in
his hand, and as this fellow stood ready to fire, Mr. Purcell,
without betraying any emotion v.'hatever, having looked at the
man, and calmly calculated his own safety, remained in a state of
firm and manly expectation without flinching, imtil the piece,
which had been loaded with a brace of bullets and three slugs,
was fired, and its contents harmlessly lodged in the wall ; when
he made a pass at him with the knife, and wounded him in the
arm, and repeating the blow with similar effect, the villain
retired, as the others had done, exclaiming that he was wounded.
The robbers now rushed forward from the parlour into the dark
room, and then it was that Mr. Purcell felt the deepest sense of
his danger ; not daunted however, but thinking that all chance
of preserving his life was over, he resolved to sell it as dearly as
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 239
possible, and accordin"lv, the moment the viUains entered tlie ^- D.
°- . . 1811
room, he struck at a fourth fellow with his knife and wounded
him ; at the same instant having received a blow on the head,
and finding himself grappled with, he shortened his hold of the
knife, and stabbed repeatedly at the fellow who seized him, and
the floor being slippery from the blood of the woimded man,
both he and his adversary fell. While on the ground together,
Mr. Purcell thinking that his thrusts with the knife, though made
with all his force, did not seem to produce the same efllect,
which they had, in the beginning of the conflict, examined the
point of the weapon with his finger, and found that it was bent,
and as he lay struggling on the ground endeavoured but unsuc-
cessfully to straighten it ; while one hand was employed in this
attempt, he perceived that the grasp of his adversary was losing
its pressure, and in a moment or two after he found himself
released from it, the limbs of the robber being in fact by this time
imnerved by death ; Mr. Pvu-cell now perceived that this
fellow ha4 a sword in his hand, which having seized, he
gave several blows with it, his knife being no longer service-
able. At length the robbers, finding so many of their party
had been killed or wounded, employed themselves in removing
the bodies, which they dragged into the parlour, and by means
of chairs with the backs placed upward, lifted put of the windows
and afterwards took away. In the mean time, Mr. Purcell
retired into a place apart from the house where he remained
a short time, and when the robbers retired, returned to the
house, and having called up a man servant from his bed, who
during this long and bloody conflict, had not before appeared,
placed his daughter-in-law and grandchild in places of safety,
and took such precautions as circumstances suggested, until
the daylight appeared. The next day, the alarm being given,
search was made for the robbers, when the gun, which had been
fired at Mr. Purcell, was found in the house of a man of the
name of Noonan, who was afterwards taken and executed.
^U(/ IG. — A burlesque fete took place at Blackrock, between
two parties representing the corporation of Ballintemple,
and the knights of the round table. " Early in the dav,
240 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
AD. (^accoi'ding to a Cork newspaper,) several persons left the city,
to witness the scene, and took their stations, so as to have a view
of the castle. At five o'clock a discharge of a cannon from the
castle announced the commencement of the fete, and shortly after
the knights proceeded, mounted and caparisoned, in the
following order : — A herald ; two trumpeters ; two yeomen
with battle axes ; two esquires fully habited, bearing shields and
lances ; two knights in complete armour, with their gauntlets
slung for all challengers ; the warder of the castle, without his
keys, they having been long since lost, and the venerable gentle-
man's care being committed to the vigilance of a big dog ; the
almoner, with an empty bag,his situation being literally a sinecure,
the alms of the castle not being confined to form or quantity,
and generally unseen ; a junior knight bearing the banner of
the order, with the arms emblazoned as follows : — On a field
argent, a round table proper, with hands linked proper, the cuffs
alternately gules, azure and vert ; the motto fidelity; then the
remainder of the knights in the coats and mantles of the order,
and collars, &.c. Having proceeded to the suburbs of Ballin-
temple, they were there met by the corporation in full regalia,
and decorated in all the pomp of magisterial dignity, each worthy
personage seated in a jaunting car ; the first in order of proces-
sion was the town crier,with his bell, which he occasionally rang ;
then the sergeants at mace ; then the sword bearer, bearing the
sword and cap of maintenance ; and the mayor in his robes,
chain, and collar of S.S. who was drawn by four horses tandem,
or rather at full length, in order to shew how far justice can
reach : the mayor was followed by the worthy sheriff in his
chain ; then followed the recorder in his gown and wig, most
legally curled ; then followed the town clerk with the charter,
or rather a translation of it from the Anglo Norman Gothic, the
original being lost ; the chamberlain, common speaker, and
common council, a most solemn spectacle to behold. This novel
appearance moved through the laughing multitude in slow and
awful state to the castle, where a good dinner awaited their
arrival. The usual toasts — the king — fidelity — love and loyalty —
courage and courtesy, were honoured with discharges of cannon
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 241
and rockets. The party continued at the castle with becoming and A. D.
magisterial perseverance till a late hour. Some money which
remained on hands, and the broken meat, were distributed
amongst the poor.
Sept. — The building, appropriated to the Institution on the
South Mall, was completed under the inspection of Mr. William
Deane ; besides a lecture-room and two convenient rooms for
apparatus, &:c., there was a library, a mineral-room, a Committee-
room, and a shed for agricidtural implements ; there was also a
spacious yard, in which there Mere some pens for sheep, prepara-
tory to the exhibition of them for premiums ; amongst other
objects the chimney-pieces excited much interest, they were all
made of marble procured in this county, and proved that in this
respect, we have no occasion to go into a foreign country for the
gratification of refined taste. The marble, raised at Ballyanan on
the Castle-Hyde estate, was peculiarly beautiful ; another of the
chimney-pieces was of marble from Eockey Island, in this
harbour, and was procure^ by permission of Lieutenant-Colonel
Fenwick, the commanding officer at Spike Island. The execu-
tion was esteemed highly creditable to Mr. Shanahan, who was
the stone cutter employed.
14. — The stupendous works of Spike Island were proceeding
with rapidly ; it was said it would take nearly eight years to
complete what was intended by government; a very fine barracks
on a large scale had at this time been roofed in.
24. — The equinoctial gale commenced this night ; it blew a
violent storm N.N W. ; several trees in the suburbs were levelled,
and a considerable part of the roof of the new buildings at the
Ursuline convent, was damaged by its effects.
JVbw.18. — On this and the following day, the Court of Common
Pleas was engaged in an important trial at bar, in which the
mayor of Cork was plaintiff, and the Earl of Ormond and others
defendants. The object of the plaintiff was to ascertain, in a
feigned issue directed by an act of parliament, whether he was
entitled to the prisage of wines in the port of Cork, and, if he
proved himself so entitled, then to recover from the Earl of
Ormond and the lords of the treasury £67,000 Irish, part of a
242 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. sum of £210,000 ; for which the government had, some time
before, bought the prisage of wines from his lordship ; there was
a verdict for the defendants, with costs of suit.
1812 Jan. 22. — A most destructive fire in Perrier's corn stores,
below the new bridge, which consumed, in the space of two hours,
the entire of those fine stores.
29. — About one o'clock this morning, a horseman was stopped
by three footpads opposite Mr. Weldon's house, on the North-
Strand road, and having called out vociferously several times,
Mr. Weldon got up in his shirt, armed with a musket, and
having thrown the window up, the robbers turned a corner, and
fled lip the hill opposite Mr. Penrose's house, and the horseman,
glad to be extricated, rode off quickly towards Glanmire without
further molestation.
March 18. — At a meeting of the Court of D'Oyer Hundred,
the draw-bridge of St. Patrick's-bridge was condemned as a
dangerous nuisance ; £200 was presented by the grand jury for
taking it down, and making a new and capacious one.
April 25. — The new organ in the cathedral church of Cioyne,
which had been imported and erected by Mr. Haddock, organ
builder, of Cork, was opened for the first time in the church,
and gave general satisfaction, in tone, and elegant and tasteful
workmanship. The old oi-gan was purchased by the parishioners
of Youghal, who engaged Mr. Haddock to improve it and erect
it in their town.
May 4. — The foundation stone of the Lancasterian school was
laid by William Beamish, Esq. , who was attended by the members
of the committee, and several others.
A new coach was established from Cork to Passage, to start
every morning from the Bower tavern, George's-street.
12. — The freedom of this city was unanimously voted to col.
Pratt, of the 5th regiment, by the common council, and also
to lieut.-col. O'Brien, assistant adjutant-general of this district.
18. — A report having been circulated that potatoes had been
lodged in Mr. Callaghan's store, a considerable number of
persons proceeded to break open the doors; when Mr. Callaghan's
son arrived and offered to open the doors for their inspection.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 243
In the mean lime the mayor arrived with a party of cavah'y, and A. D.
,. , , 1812
tranquilhty was mimediately restored.
July. — It was in contemplation to build a bridge from Warren's
quay to the Marsh opposite ; this design was not put into
execution until the year 1830, when it was built at an expense of
£9,000.
^ug. 14. — A numerously attended meeting was held in the
north Chapel, respecting the Catholic claims.
22 — Brilli;^nt illuminations in this city, in honour of the victory
gained by Lord Wellington at Salamanca.
Sept. 8. — A large vessel having sailed into Kinsalc harbour,
fonrmen, who were on board a pilot boat, supposing her to be
ignorant of the coast, put out to her assistance ; but the moment
they reached the ship, they were seized, and three long boats at
the same time were lowered, with antirmed gang on board each, to
attack other boats, which were fishing on the coast ; some of
the men immediately jumped out, intending to swim ashore ;
but were taken ; others, when ascending the steep rocks, were
cruelly dragged back again into the sea with boat hooks, and all
were impressed for-thc naval service.
Nov. G. — The following is extracted from the Cork Mercan-
tile Chronicle of this date, as illustrative of the style of a party
provincial newspaper of this day. — " Chairing of Mr. Hutchin-
son."— "If an an angel could envy the situation of a human being,
elevated to the pinnacle of honour by the enthusiastic gratitude of
his fellow beings, he would yesterday have envied the Honourable
Christopher Hely Hutchinson ; never did we witness such a
scene ! never did the oldest person in our city hear from his
progenitors the traditionary description of such an exhibition in
Cork or its environs."
Feh. 19.' — There was a dreadful storm from the south west, 1813
accompanied with thunder and lightning.
March 24. — The freedom of this city was unanimously voted,
in silver boxes, to Earl O'Neil, and the Right Hon. Robert Peele,
chief secretary to his Grace the Duke of Richmond.
July 8. — The whole of the city was brilliantly illuminated in
honour of the victory of Vittoria.
244 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
. A.D. Aug. 22. — The commercial buildings were finished; they
were free to the public until the 29th September, when subscrip-
tions commenced. This building was from a design by
Thomas Deane, Esq. and was built by a proprietary of 129 share-
holders of £100 each, incorporated by charter in the 48th year
ofthe reign of George III.
Oct. 18. — The common council voted the freedom of this city
in a silver box, to Abraham Bradley King, Esq. late lord mayor of
Dublin.
Dec. 2. — The annual exhibition and sale of cloth, manufactured
in the county of Cork, took place at the Cork Institution.
Various disasters were occasioned by excessive falls of rain in
the neighbourhood of Cork, Healy"s bridge near Inniscarragh
was totally swept away, and several of the streets of this city
were rendered impassable ffom the state of inundation caused
by the floods.
13. — It was stated in court by the recorder, upon the authority
of the lamp-collector, that within the space of the previous
month, not less than 500 ofthe lamps had been broken in the city.
1814 Jan. 9. — A fire broke out in the rear of the South-main-st.
and Tuckey-street, amongst some poor person's houses, and from
the difiiculty of approaching the place, raged with considerable
fury for some time.
Most serious inconvenience resulted from the suspension of
travelling, occasioned by a great fall of snow, which far exceeded
any similar calamity, within the memory of the oldest inhabitant
of this county.
March 1 . — A lighter was upset in lough Mahon, by a sudden,
squall, by which accident four men were drowned, no boat being
able to give them any assistance, the snow and wind were so
violent.
14. — Being the day appointed for laying the first stone of the
Repository school in Bandon ; the yeomanry corps assembled at an
early hour, and marched, with music playing, to the ground, on
which the house was to be erected ; they were then drawn out
so as to leave a sufficient space for Lady Bandon and the other
friends of the Institution j the concourse assembled was immense,
CORK REISIEMBRANCER. 245
the walls and tops of the houses adjoining being crowded with A. D.
spectators. The yeomanry having taken up their positions, the three
lodges of freemasons, followed by the children of the establish-
ment, (one hundred and fifty in number) marched in procession
to the ground, when the insignia and decorations of the former,
with the neat, cheerful, and comfortable appearance of the latter,
combined to make this a pleasing and interesting spectacle.
When all were arranged in due order, a deputation from the free-
masons waited on Lady Bandon at the old school house, where
the goveimesses of the Institution and all the gentry of the town
and adjoining neighbourhood had previously assembled. Her
ladyship then proceeded, accompanied by her daughters, and atten-
ded by the governesses and friends of the Institution, and laid in
due form the first stone of this extensive building, which is capable
of receiving 400 children. The lowei'ing of a flag, according to
masonic ceremony, having announced that the stone was deposited
in its place, the drums and fifes played God save the king, which
was followed by three cheers from the spectators.
20. — Two houses near the new gaol were burnt.
27. — Thomas Deane, esq. was presented with a piece of plate
by the corporation of the commercial buildings, in testimony of
their approbation of his conduct, in the design, plan, and
execution of the work.
^pril 11. — A hnUidiwi feu de joie -w^L^ fired on the Grand
Parade, by the troops hi gai-rison, in celebration of the successes
of the allies over the enemy. In the evening the city was
illuminated.
19. — Brilliant illuminations in honor of the same.
July 28. — Some persons having had a quarrel in Smith-street,
a centinel, who was posted at one of the king's stores near the
spot, endeavoured to drive them from his post, when he was
knocked down, but recovering himself, he seized one of the men,
and put him into his box as a prisoner, and proceeded to charge
his musket; he had scarcely accomplished this, when the man in
his custody attempted to run away; the soldier fired, and carried
away part of the fellovy's ear. He was again apprehended and
put into confinement.
W
246 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. jluq. 19. — The freedom of this city, in a silver box, was voted
1S14 . . .
to WilHam Gregory, Esq. a distinguished member of the Irish
administration.
23. — The oratorio of the Messiah was performed in Christ
church by Madame Catalani, assisted by several others.
Sept. 2. — A private of the 50th regiment was discovered
suspended from a rafter, in an uninhabited house near liaffeen,
in which situation, it was supposed, he had been, from the
appearance he presented, for three days.
Oct. 3. — A number of disorderly fellows having quarrelled in
a public house, they were driven out into the street, where they
continued fighting, when one party seized one of their opponents,
and heaved him over Cross-street bridge into the river; the
water however being low, he was enabled to grope his way down
the stream, and come out at an opening in Fishamble lane.
21. — ^The 40th regiment left the vessel in which they had
embarked, and proceeded in launches to Monkstown, on their
way to Cork, having lost the whole of their baggage, See. near
Bantry.
28, — The foundation stone of the custom-house on Lapp's
island, was this day laid by Robert Aldridge, esq. the collector of
customs, who was attended by the officers of the several depart-
ments. A brass plate, with a suitable engraving, was placed
under the stone, and Mr. Ilargrave, jim. in the absence of his
brother, the architect, presented a silver trowel to Mr. Aldridge,
with an address. When the ceremony was concluded, Mr.
Aldridge gave some bank notes, to be expended by the labourers
in drinking the king's health.
JVoy. 4. — About eleven o'clock this night, as the Cork and
Dublin coach was proceeding up a slight ascent, within three
miles of Cashel, it was discovered that the road was blocked up,
cars being placed at each side, and a large tree resting upon
both. At the same moment two shots were fired, both of which
took effect, one upon the coachman, who received the ball in
his breast, and the other on an officer of the 38th regiment, who
sat behind him, and who was shot in the head. Notwithstanding
the wounded state of the coachman, he held his horses in hand,
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 247
and though the road was very narrow, dexterously turned them A. D.
round, and drove back to New Inn, the last stage he had left.
In the mean time one of the guards descended from his seat,
and ran to the place whence the shots proceeded, but the
miscreants could not be discovered. Upon the arrival of
the coach at New Inn, an express was sent off to Cashel for
an escort, which having arrived, the coach proceeded on its
way,
Dec. 15. — A tremendous hurricane commenced about eleven
o'clock this night, and continued, without intermission, until
late the following day. The roofs of a vast number of houses
were stript of their coverings, and a great number of chimneys
blown down. In the south military hospital a considerable part
of the roof was driven in, three men killed, and others severely
hurt ; the new barrack was stript of some of its heavy covering
of ton slate ; the parish church of St. Ann Shandon was also
stript ; and in the neighbourhood of the city several stacks of hay
and corn were prostrated and scattered. Three ships were
driven ashore in Cusquinny bay, and one at Aghada, and
several others injured. This storm was very general, being also
in Dublin, Limerick, &:c.
The Society of Arts was established this year for the advance- ^^^^
ment of painting and sculpture, and was at first liberally encou-
raged. George 4th, when Prince Regent, presented this Society,
in 1820, with a very valuable collection of casts from the antique ;
the students were nuftierous, and were instructed in drawing;
and a course of lectures on anatomy, as connected with the art
of design, was regularly delivered ; but the funds becoming in
a few years insufficient to defray the expenses, the casts were
transferred to the Royal Cork Institution.
Jan. 12. — Four fellows, in a state of intoxication, rushed into
St. Mary Shandon church, during divine service, disturbed the
congregation, interrupted the clergyman, and shocked all present
by their horrid blasphemy. They were removed with much
difficulty.
Feb. 13.— Dr. Moylan, titular Bishop of Cork, was buried in
the North Chapel with great pomp, and on the following day
248 CORK REMEMBRANCER,
A- 1), the Veil. Archdeacon Murphy was elected a vicar capitular,
until the vacancy in the See was filled up,
March 1 . — An interesting trial of skill in ploughing, on the
part of six of the agricultural societies of the county Cork, took
place in a field near the old Dublin road, about half a mile fronj
this city.
At the Spring assizes this year, amongst other presentments,
the following were passed : — £11 lis., for filling and levelling
Warren's-quay, commonly called Lapp's Island 'dock, with
231 cubic yards of earth and rubbish, at Is. per yard:
£33 16s. for rebuilding the ferry slip, at the end of the little
road leading from the Mardyke to Sunday's-well, then in a ruinous
state, and for fixing therein 294 feet of hammered lime or brown
stone steps, at Is. 8d. per foot, and for building 24 perches of
mason's work, to be contained in quay walls on the east and west
sides of said slip, at 7s. 6d per perch; £1029 14s. 6d, for
changing, altering, improving and repairing the Glanmire-
road, from King-street to the village of Glanmire : £40,
for covering over with iron the portcullis of St Patrick's
bridge.
May 25. — An alarming fire in Mr. Harman's tallow house in
Harper's-lane, which entirely consumed it,
June 5. — The corporation, appointed by act of parliament
for preserving and improving the port of Dublin, (whose power
extended over all Ireland) issued a precept directed to commis-
sioners and the sheriffs of the county of Cork, to summon a jury to
value the site of Roche's tower, and the necessary ground attached
thereto, which had been selected for the purpose of erecting a
light house thereon. Under this precept Messrs. Crossthwaite
Guinness, and Shaw of Dublin, as commissioners, and a jury sat
this day at Cove, when they awarded £1426 as compensation.
6. — The Cork and Dublin coach was attacked about two
o'clock this night between Caher and Cashel, when seven shots
were fired from behind the hedges, the coachman received two
slugs in his head, but notwithstanding drove on to Cashel. The
road had been previously impeded by cars and trunks of trees
placed across.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 249
\0. — The city of Cork steamer was launched at Passage, in A.D.
presence of an immense concourse of spectators. This vessel was
built by Mr. Andrew Hennfissy.
Sept 26.— The common council voted the freedom of this city
to Field Marshal Prince Blucher, for his services at the battle
of Waterloo,
OcL 1. — The freemen voted a piece of plate, or an increase
of salary, to William Waggett, Esq., the recorder; but he
declined accepting of either.
10. — -The negligent manner, in which the new pump wells of
this city were left open, was complained of in the Merca?itile
Chronicle of this date ; the inhabitants being exposed to the
danger of being precipitated, during the dark winter nights, into
enormous pits of water, which lay open like traps in the most
frequented streets,
12. — On this night and the following morning there was very
heavy rain, and a great flood in the river, by which much
damage was done in the city and its neighbourhood ; several of
the bridges in the counties of Cork and Kerry suffered materially,
particularly those on the line of road from this city to Tralee.
Nov. 10. — As five constables were conducting their prisoners
from Bantry, they were attacked on the Bandon road, within two
miles of this city, with a volley of stones from about thirty fellows,
who deprived them of their arms and rescued the prisoners. Two
of the escort escaped into town, after having been cruelly beaten,
when Mr. sheriff Deane took a party of dragoons with him, and
proceeded to the place where the outrage took place, but could
receive no information by which he could trace the flight of the
i-uffians.
Dec. 10. — The weather was very severe, and there having
been a gradual thaw on the previous day, there was a considerable
flood in the river.
Jan. — The Stamp office was removed to Mr. Cahill's house 1816
in Patrick-street, near Newenham's bank.
Feb. 10. — A farmer residing near Mitchelstown, whose
daughter was about to be married, invited a number of his friends
to the wedding. After supper all the young people retired to
250 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. a large barn to dance, where there was a fire, as the nii'ht was
1816 o ' ' B
cold. After they had been dancing for some time, they
wished to have the fire extinguished, when a young man went
into the dwelling-house for some water, and seeing a large jug,
brought it into the barn, and supposing it to contain water,
though it was in reality filled with spirits, threw it upon the fire ;
the barn immediately took fire, as it had no chimney, and before
the door could be opened, sixteen persons were almost instanta-
neously destroyed, and about twice that number so miserably
scorched that their lives were despaired of ; among the latter
number was the bride ; the bridegroom was also much injured.
The sight presented after this dreadful misfortune was of a
most distressing nature — men, women and children lying on the
outside of the ruins, so disfigured, that their parents could not
recognize them. It was supposed from the appearance of the
ruins and the bones found, that from 25 to 30 persons were
burned to death, exclusive of those who afterwards died.
26. — Mr. James O'Brien lit his shop in Tuckey-street with
gas. The brilliancy of the lamps outside the house, the neatness
and novelty of the arrangement, and the extent to which the
light was conveyed through his manufactory and workshop,
excited general admiration.
May 1. — ^The Limerick mail coach travelled, for the first time,
the entire of the new line of road from Mallow to Cork, decorated
with green boughs ; the country people, who lined the
hills at each side of the road in great numbers, cheered it as it
passed.
8. — Thirty-four convicts, which had been transmitted from
Tipperaiy and other counties, were sent down from the city
gaol, and put on board the transports at Cove.
June 1 . — At a court of D'Oyer hundred held this day an
order of council was read, for letting the ferry between Lapp's
island and the new wall, for one year, at the rent of £25, which
rent was offered by a member of the court. The project was
however abandoned ; a man who was paid twelve guineas
per annum, for taking care of the place, residing at the
time in a small house at the end of the wall, and having a
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 251
boat, in which ptn-sons, desirous of going on the wall for the A.D.
purpose of bathing or of recreation, were conveyed for a small
remuneration.
21. — Mr. Sadler the aeronaut, arrived in this city. The car,
suspended from his balloon, was of an oval shape and
was elegantly finished. It was supported at each end by
eagles, apparently rising from the shell of the nautilus, which
was modelled in a most masterly style, it was lined with purple
velvet finished with borders of shamrocks in gold ; on the upper
pannel was a mosaic railing, terminating with the Irish harp, so
disposed as to form the elbows of the car, and on either side hung
pendant the badge and star of the order of St, Patrick, in gold
embroidery, encircled with wreaths of oak in relief. This
splendid vehicle was attached by ropes of burnished gold, which
appeared as pillars supporting the base of the canopy, round
which were painted the twelve signs of the zodiac, relieved with
clusters of silver stars; the canopy was formed of purple silk,
studded with stars of gold, and intersected with spiral lines of
oak, which were held by eagles, standing on the edge of the base,
and between each of the eagles were the prince's plumes in gold,
the drapery purple and yellow, richly embroidered, and trimmed
with gold fringe and tassels ; the whole surmounted with a rich
coronet, and forming one of the most splendid and elegant
vehicles fancy could picture.
July 8. — Mr. George James Drinan, accompanied by two
excise officers and four soldiers, proceeded to a house in King-
street this evening, where they had received information of a
private still being at work; upon knocking at the door they were
refused admittance, and upon their proceeding to force it in, a
shot was fired, by which one of the soldiers was wounded in the
hand and thigh. The party then retired, and having acquainted
the sheriff's with what had occurred, the latter immediately
repaired to the place with a stronger military escort, and having
entered without resistance, discovered the whole apparatus,
which they brought oft" and lodged in the custom-house. The
owner of the house escaped, but his son, a young lad, was
secured.
252 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D.
]816
Sejit. 2. — About twenty minutes past four o'clock this cvciiing,
(a pilot balloon having been previously sent oft" by Mr, Sadler
in the barrack yard,) a gun announced the moment for
disengaging the great balloon and car, which ascended nearly
at the same moment. The direction it took was south,
with a little variation to the west, and as it passed over the city,
the waving of the flags in the car could be easily discerned.
Mr. Sadler was then observed to throw some ballast out, and the
ascent was proportionate ; in about twelve minutes more, he
entered a cloud, and was invisible for some time ; the
balloon again appeared at twenty minutes before five, and was
visible for about four minutes at a great distance, in a southerly
direction, when it was again lost in a cloud. The following is
Mr. Sadler's own account : — " I ascended at twenty minutes
before five o'clock, with the wind blowing moderately from the
N.W.N. ; the balloon on first rising had an unpleasant motion,
but soon became steady ; being now nearly perpendicular over
Cork, I detached a parachute, and being too far distant to be
observed waving my hat, I took my banner and waved a last
farewell to the shouting crowds ; at ten minutes before five, the
balloon entered a thick cloud, when the city and the adjacent
country became obscured from me ; the balloon was now
completely inflated, and the gas rushing out through the safety
tube, plainly shewed to me my continued rapid ascent ; from my
wish that the many friends, whom I had so few minutes before
left, should be further gratified, I determined to descend, and
having opened the valve, and allowed sufficient gas to escape,
the balloon rapidly descended, when the city and coast, extending
towards Bantry to the west, and Waterford to the east, I distinctly
perceived, whilst the harbour of Cork, and the interior country,
with its various mountains, formed a view, sublime in the
extreme ; in order further to gratify the spectators, and shew the
power of the machine, I reascended and entered a second cloud
at five minutes past five o'clock ; I had previously determined
not to remain long, but to effect my landing about Ringabella ;
I now therefore began to make preparations for my descent, by
placing various things in secure places, to prevent thfir being
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 253
thrown out by the concussion of the car, and at 12 minutes past A. D,
five I opened the valve, and began gradually to descend; the car
first struck in a grass enclosure, and rebounded into the adjoining
fieldSjbutthe wind being mild, and the grappling irons having well
secured themselves in the hedge, the balloon soon became secured.
The first person who appeared was, I believe, the owner of the
farm, who was not a little alarmed, for although he had run in
a direction towards it, he made a full stop at some distance,
enquiring where I came from, and it was not without a great
deal of exertion on my part in calling, that he was induced to
come near. A servant of Mr. Hodder's next came up, followed
by a number of other persons ; he made himself known to me,
and said that if the apparatus was taken to his master's house, it
should be taken care of. I was then kindly invited to Mr. Foote's,
where I partook of refreshment, and was provided with a horse
to Mr. Hodder's, where a bed was prepared, and every accom-
modation rendered that I could require."
12. — Some persons attacked the house of a farmer who resided
in the neighbourhood of Bandon, and attempted to carry off his
daughter, a young woman, who was to have been married m a
short time. In resisting them the father was run through the
body and died almost immediately. Eleven of the gang were
afterwards apprehended.
Oct. 27. — On this day and the following night there was inces-
sant heavy rain, and on the next day a great flood in the river ;
three cows, which were washed away, were carried under the
north bridge, at one o'clock.
JVov. 7. — In consequence of Mr. Knapp, who had been
elected mayor, having resigned, Mr. Serjeant Johnson applied
to the court of King's bench for a mandamus, on the part of Mr.
Fitton, who had also been put in nomination for the office, and
had, next to Mr. Knapp, the majority of votes, notwithstanding
which, the officers of the court had not returned his name to the
lord lieutenant for his approval ; the application was grounded
on an affidavit of Mr. Fitton.* After a long legal argument
* The particulars of Mr. Serjeant Johnson's speech were as follows : — " the
last charter obtained by the corporation, by which former ones were cunfirmed,
254 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. between Mr. Serjeant Johnson, on the part of Mr. Fitton, and
Mr.Serjeant Joy, on the part of the corporation, the court refused
Mr. Fitton's application, and expressed their wish that the
parties would arrange matters in such a way as to prevent the
case from again coming before them. Serjeant Joy then moved
for a mandamus, to be directed to the sheriffs and commonalty
of Cork, to proceed to a new election of mayor ; his application
was grounded upon the affidavit of Mr. Jones the town clerk,
and after some opposition from Serjeant Johnson, was granted;
and accordingly on the 18th, the election was entered upon,
when John Travers, esq. was put forward in opposition to the
Friendly club, but his nomination not having been recognized
by the presiding officer, the election was carried on in the
was from Charles I, and was dated on the 5th of April, in the seventh year of
that king's reign; among, other things, this charter directed, thatoneof the most
discreet of the citizens should be chosen mayor, and it granted to the
mayor, sheriffs and commonalty, and their successors, power and authority to
assemble and elect yearly such mayor from the commons, to continue in office
for one year from the feast of St. Michael ; there was also a provision in the
charter for the death or amotion of any mayor while in otfice, in either of
which events, one of the commonalty was to be elected for the residue of the
year, and these were the only circumstances provided for. There had been
various bye-laws since made, and the court, the learned serjeant said, would see
that they were in direct violation of the charter ; according to one of these, the
mayor and two sheriffs made choice, each man, of three persons out of the
common council, who, with the new mayor and sheriffs, made twelve,
these twelve went into a room, and there continued until they made choice of
three other persons out of the common council, to be offered to the freemen as
candidates for the mayoralty, one of whom they elected by votes, and in case
the twelve men continued to disagree until twelve o'clock at night, the then
mayor and sheriffs made choice next day of three more, and proceeded as
before, by which method no person but one of the common council could be
chosen mayor ; this bye-law continued to be acted upon for 48 years, when in
the year 1667, another bye-law was made, whereby it was resolved, that the
mayor and sheriffs as formerly, should choose three persons each, who were to
retire as before, and if they disagreed until twelve o'clock at night, the mayor
was the next day at ten o'clock to call a council, the majority of which were
to agree upon three persons of the council to be offered as candidates. This
bye-law continued in force until the year 1721, and operated as the preceding
one, to keep the eligibility to the office exclusively in the common council.
In November, 1721, all former bye-laws were rescinded by one then passed.
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
255
usual manner, when Mr. Richard Allen was declared duly A.D.
elected.
Dec. 4. — A violent storm, accompanied by a heavy fall of rain ;
many chimneys were blown down, and other injuries done to
several houses.
24. — About twelve o'clock this night, Mr. Edward Daly was
attacked near Faulkner's-lane by five or six soldiers,who knocked
him down, wounded him severely in the head, and robbed him
of a gold watch. In consequence of the above outrage, the
mayor, sheriffs, and several respectable citizens, waited on the
general then in command of the garrison, to request his inter-
ference in preventing the soldiers from being out at night from
their quarters.
by which the majority of suffrages was established ; this, the Serjeant stated,
was a considerable approximation to the spirit of the charter, but not being in
accordance with the wishes of some persons who were then in the council,
another was made on the 14th February 1721, which, according to the old
style which then existed, followed November, and that bye-law was the one then
in question. Serjeant Johnson then read the bye-law, which regulated, that
the election of mayor should be held on the usual day, which was three months
before the feast of St Michael, or the Monday next after, and regulated that
the names of the resident burgesses should be put into a hat, five of whom
should be drawn out, and put in nomination, from amongst whom the mayor
was to be chosen by the majority of the freemen present ; this is the bye-law,
continued the seijeant, which was then enacted, and has been since acted
upon, and in violation, as it is, of the charter; the consequences resulting from
it are stated in the affidavit upon which this motion is grounded ; this bye-law
continued until 1743, and was even then made subservient to the purposes of
interestpd individuals, who in that year established the Friendly club, which
they formed for the purpose of monopolizing to themselves the honors and
emoluments of the city, and regulating and controlling the concerns of the
corporation, to the exclusion altogether of the rest of the freemen. This club
then consisted of 287 members — upwards of 100 of whom were residents of the
city, and were all bound together by some secret tie, and by private resolutions,
entered in a book, which, if it be legal, said the Serjeant, they are now invited
to produce, and it is further alledged in this affidavit, that the said club take
upon them to nominate persons from amongst themselves, to serve the office
of sheriff, and that they have established a modification of the bye-law, by
which they have taken away the right from the body of freemen, as they are
pledged to support the eldest of the five burgesses drawn out of the hat, as
mentioned above.
256 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. 24. — At a meeting of the Court of D'oyer hundred, held this
day, an item of five guineas in one of the accounts, for decorating
the statue of George the 2d on the 1st of July, was objected to
by a member of the court, who, however, subsequently withdrew
his opposition, as the expense had been incm-red, and the account
was passed.
About this time, from the scarcity of food, the poor were in
a miserable state of want.
1817 Jan, 22. — The gate from Seymour"s-lane to the meat market
was re-opened.
The weather was extremely boisterous, heavy rains and high
winds were prevalent, there were also very high floods in this
city, and its vicinity.
^pr'il 30. — John Travers, esq. having applied for an order
to file a criminal information against Mr. sheriff Perry and the
other members of the Friendly club, for the part which they had
taken in the election of the late mayor ; the conditional order,
which had then been obtained, was refused to be made absolute,
in consequence of Mr. Travers having been shortly before a
member of the same body, and therefore a. pai'ticeps crhninis.
May 13. — This day Serjeant Joy endeavoured to shew cause,
why a conditional order, (which had been obtained, at the suit of
Mr. Travers, in the previous term, in the Court of King's
Bench, for a quo warranto against Edward Allen, esq. mayor
I of Cork,) should not be made absolute ; when, after much argu-
ment on both sides, the application was granted by the chief
justice, who thus expressed himself: — "It appears to us that
enough has been shewn to put the bye law in question in a
train of legal inquiry as to its validity, and that the number of
persons eligible has been contracted ; and if this shall be found
to be the case, there can be no doubt but it is an illegal bye law."
25. — A most destructive fire in a house near the post-office,
in Charleville, which consumed the three adjoining houses.
June 4. — The light house at Roche's tower was commenced.
9. — The mayor called a meeting of the principal inhabitants
of this city at the Commercial buildings, to adopt measures for
the relief of the poor, then in great distress from the high price of
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 257
provisions ; when it was determined, that a number of gentlemen A. D.
should be sworn in as peace officers, so as to keep the city quiet,
and every exertion used to obtain a regular supply of provisions.
These resolutions afforded general satisfaction, as many outrages
had been committed by the populace in search of provisions ;
on one occasion the mayor had been compelled to read the
riot act, and order the cavalry to charge, by which several persons
were hurt.
18. — At a meeting of the committee of the Dispensary and
Humane Society, it was resolved, that in consequence of the
alarming increase of fever, the monks' school house in Peacock-
lane, and the benevolent offers of an individual (who concealed
his name) to floor the room and provide fifty pallet beds, so
as to establish an additional fever house, be received with
gratitude by the committee. In about a fortnight after, there
were 200 patients received.
Sejot. 12, — Sir Francis Burdett arrived in this city, and, as he
passed through the streets, was loudly cheered by the populace.
Previous to his arrival here he visited Lord Llandaff, Earl
Glengall, Lord Lismore and Mr. Ashley, at the celebrated
castle of Lismore, from which he proceeded to Cove. From
Cove he visited colonel Roche, at Trabolgan, and the military
works in the harbour ; from Cove he went to Cork ; on the
14th dined with capt. White, on the 15th visited Mr. O'Connor,
and on the 16th arrived at Palace Anne, the seat of Mr.
Bernard, from whence he paid a visit to Mr. StaweU of
Kilbritain, and on the I9th, arrived at Bantry. On his arrival
at Bantry the demonstrations of public regard were very striking ;
bonfires blazed in many parts of the town, and several houses
were brilliantly illuminated ; six tierces of porter were ordered
during the course of the evening for the people assembled, which
they declined accepting, declaring that they had met solely for the
purpose of paying to the illustrious patriot, the best tribute
of their respect. On the 20th Sir Francis went by water
to view the bay of Bantrj', and the sublime and delightful
scenery of GlengarifF, with which he was so gratified, that he
paid it next day a second visit, in which he was accompanied
258 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. by all the boats in the bay ; on leaving the town of Bantry, he
left a sum of money with the parish priest to distribute amongst
the poor ; the 22d he spent at Ardnagashill, the seat of Arthur
Hutchins, esq., and on the 23d he reached Killarney; the 25th
was spent upon the lakes in company with a water club, consisting
of the respectable persons of the town and vicinity, when Sir
Francis was accompanied by his friends the Messrs. O'Connor,
and the celebrated Irish piper of the same name.
Oct. 14. — A coal store at the south side of Blarney-lane,
yielding to the pressure of the great quantity of coals, tumbled
down the declivity, and came with such violence against another
store at the north abbey, as to force in the roof; by this accident
a young lad was killed, and two men seriously injured.
21. — At nine o'clock this night, at his apartments at Brompton,
died the right honourable John Philpot Curran. This distin-
guished advocate, orator, and patriot, was born in the town
of Newmarket, near Cork, of very humble parents, and
entered upon life without a friend, but of his own creation, or a
shilling which was not the hard earned produce of his own
exertions.
25. — The post boy, conveying the mail from Youghal to Cork,
was stopped this evening by two armed men, who took possession
of the mail ; upon hearing the cries of the boy, one Michael
Echran, who was going towards Glanmire, rushed boldly forward,
upon which the robbers made their escape into Lota wood,
leaving the mail behind them, which was safely delivered by the
boy, at the post office.
Fever was very prevalent.
Dec. 8. — At a meeting of the inhabitants of this city, held at
the commercial buildings, the lord bishop of Cork and Ross in
the chair, it was resolved, that a savings bank be established in
this city, for the purpose of receiving, and investing in govern-
ment securities, svich small sums as might be saved from the
earnings of tradesmen, clerks, mechanics, labourers, servants, &c.
and of affording to industrious persons the two fold advantage of
security and interest for their deposits, until required by them
for their future wants or advancement in life.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 259
Jan, 5. — The corporation of this city having voted addresses A- D.
to the prince regent, and prince Leopold, expressive of their
affectionate condolence on the death of the princess Charlotte,
the mayor received a letter of this date from lord Sidmouth, one
of the principal secretaries of state, acquainting him that his
royal highness had received same most graciously, and that the
address to prince Leopold had been forwarded to Claremont; in
reply to which, the mayor also received a letter from Robert
Gardiner, esq. expressive of Prince Leopald's feelings of
confidence and consolation, in the atiection and interest it
manifested in his affliction.
Mr. Leslie Foster was unanimously voted his freedom in a
silver box.
Feb. 8. — The Roman Catholic chapel of Ban don was
plundered of about seven or eight pounds, and a chalice belong-
ing to the parish priest.
The small-pox was very prevalent in this city.
March 26. — There were two grand oratorios in Christ church,
on this day, and on the 30th, for charity; the receipts during the
two days amounted to nearly £800.
Mai/ 18. — An establishment for the gratuitous vaccination of
the poor was opened in Coach street.
19. — The great influx of beggars into the city was complained
of in this day's paper, in which it was stated, that it was
impossible to walk the streets and not be forcibly struck with
the different accents of the mendicants, who rudely and
perseveringly solicited assistance ; it was also affirmed, that
within the previous week, one hundred and fifty beggars passed
through one of the toll-gates in the neighbourhood of this city,
on their way from Dublin and the interior of the country.
A very fine camera obscura was erected near the statue on the
Grand Parade, and continued to be exhibited there for several
years.
June 14. — About one o'clock, a number of prisoners, chiefly
convicts, exceeding one hundred, made a sudden attack on the
keepers of the county gaol, for the purpose of effecting their
escape ; having supplied themselves with a quantity of stones,
260 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. which the unfinishod state of the yard afforded, thev commenced
1818
this rash and desperate attempt ; the moment the door was
opened to distribute clean Huen, Sec, they began an attack
on Mr. Murphy, the gaoler, and his assistants, by a shower
of stones, and succeeded in jamming the door so as to
prevent its being closed, by which three of the most active
ringleadei's gained the passage leading to the inner yard ; they
were however almost instantly repulsed, and secured by the
activity of two of Mr. Murphy's principal assistants, whose
timely efforts enabled him to compel the prisoners to return to
their wards, and to secure the ringleaders in irons.
29. — A soldier who circulated a report that the City of Cork,
river steam vessel, was lost outside this harbour, was tried for
same by a court martial, and having been found guilty, was
sentenced to be flogged, which sentence was put into execution
the same day.
June 30. — The Cork Commercial Tavern, adjoining the
Commercial Buildings, was opened this day with a subscription
dinner, at which all the respectable merchants and traders of
this city attended.
Sept. 3. — The high sheriff, on the part of the corporation of
Cork, proceeded to Killarney, to invite the lord lieutenant and
his suite to dinner, which invitation his excellency was pleased
to accept, and accordingly having arrived on the evening of the
ninth at Ballincollig, on his way to Cork, he was received with
discharges of cannon. The city sheriffs and a troop of dragoons
were in attendance, and escorted the carriages which contained
the viceregal party, until they reached Scragg's Hotel, in
George's-street, which was brilliantly illuminated. The walls
and windows were festooned with variegated lamps, in the centre
of which, was a grand transparency with the Talbot arms. In
the course of the next day, addresses were presented to his
excellency by the mayor and corporation, the merchants and
the clergy, and deputations from the Cork Institution and Society
of Arts waited upon his excellency ; in the evening he was
entertained at the Mansion-house, and on the following day,
proceeded in admiral Hallowell's barge to Haulbowline, and
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 261
Spike Island, and the Forts, &c. after which he was entertained A.D.
on board the Hag ship, the Tonnant.
Sept. 22. — This city and neighbourhood was visited by a storm,
more violent than h:id been for some time experienced at this sea-
son of the year. It commenced about nine o'clock at night, when
incessant flashes of very vivid lightning, and loud peals of
thunder were first observed, and to these succeeded the heaviest
rain that was remembered for some time, accompanied by a
violent gale from the north-east, which continued, occasionally
intermitting, until the; following morning, when the scattered
slates and tiles in various parts of the city, told of the severity of
the night.
Oct. 1. — The custom-house was finished, and business began
to be transacted in it, in the various revenue departments.
Oct. 26. — As Parker Dunscombe, esq. was returning from
Mount Desert, a fellow rushed forward, grasped the reins of his
bridle, and called out that he would shoot him if he did not stop.
Mr. Dunscombe, perceiving that he was armed, pushed forward,
and had arrived at the gateway leading to Mr. Wise's, when
three men sprung out from behind the wall, evidently with an
intention of stopping him. The horse,- however, startled and
made off, and Mr. Dunscombe arrived at his own house in safety.
An association, called the Southern Fishery Association, was
instituted at a public meeting held at Kinsale this day ; its
object was to further the fisheries on this coast, and to protect
and encourage the use of trammel nets.
29. — A gentleman of the name of Nicholson was stopped about
nine o'clock at night a little beyond the lough, on the old Kinsale
road, by a highwayman, who, having seized his horse, deliberately
fired at him; the ball however only grazed his forehead, and his
horse having sprung forward, he was rescued from death.
JVby. 3. — A letter appeared in the Southern Reporter, of
this date, complaining of it being the practice to expose dead
bodies in coflins in the public streets, in order to procure money
for their interment.
11. — About twelve o'clock this day, a vessel called the
Sylvan vias wrecked upon the Sovereign Islands; these two rocks
X
262 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A.D. arc distant from the shore about an EngUsh-mlle, they rise
snddenly as it were from the ocean, but are surrounded at the
base by projecting cliff's; the distance of the two rocks from each
other is just so much as to liave admitted the vessel to get in
between them, where she was completely wedged, and in which
situation, her bottom being on the rocks, she was soon beaten to
pieces ; we have given this description of the islands in order to
render the account which follows, more intelligible. Towards
the close of this day, when a fog, which had arisen, was
in some measure dissipated, and when the sea had somewhat
abated, the mast qf a vessel with something of the appear-
ance of a man clinging to the rigging could be descried from the
shoi'e at Oyster Haven; night however, and the tempestuous, sea
which still prevailed, rendered it impossible to make any effort
to afford assistance; and those who witnessed his perilous situation
had little doubt but that a few hours would terminate his life : the
night closed, it was one of great horror, thei*e was a high wind
and heavy rain, it was for the most part dark, save. when now
and again a gleam of moonshine made the scene more visibly
terrific. The morning broke without any abatement having
taken place in the violence of the elements ; but the boatmen
from Oysterhaven, who had witnessed the scene of the preceding
night were early in motion, and rowed in a tremenduously heavy
sea towards the islands ; as they proceeded they encountered
several pieces of wreck, and upon nearing the islands perceived
something like a human being moving backwards and forwards,
and upon approaching as close as the heavy surge would admit
them, could distinctly see that it was a boy ; to relieve him at the
moment was impossible, the destruction of the boat and crew
would have been the certain consequences of any attempt of the
kind, for the sea still continued dreadfully agitated, and the wind
extremely high. These circumstances being communicated to
Mr. Cramer, who resided near Oyster-haven, he immediately had
them made known to Mr. Newman, the sovereign of Kinsale,
who, at about ten o'clock on the morning of the twelfth,
proceeded to the spot, and promised the crew of a Kinsale boat
:i ivw.'ud of ti'ii guineas, if they succeeded in relieving the
l.'URK REMEMBRAXCER. 263
linfortuuato boy on the islancL These gallant fellows, having
been provided with some warm wine in bladders, and other
means of refreshment, proceeded to sea, which was as
tempestuous as ever, and the wind still as high. The
cliffs on the coast were at this time ci-owded with country
people from the interior, and during the occasional evaporation
of the lo-w fogs, the boy on the island could be seen running
to and fro. The boat from Kinsale now appeared in view,
making for the island, which two others from Oysterhaven had
been previously endeavouring to approach, but ineflectually. For
several hours their exertions were fruitless, the mountain billows,
which dashed upon the rdcks, creating a surge which threatened
destruction to any boat which approached it : yet one effort
was made which deserves particular notice; the king's boat
stationed at Oysterhaven, with Mr. Maunsell, a gentleman of the
revenue from Kinsale, Mr. Holmes, and the crew proceetled
towards the island, with a small punt in tow; on coming as close
within its range as the surf allowed them, the former gentleman
and two of the crew took to the pimt, and were almost immedi-
ately lifted upon the very rocks of the island, at the spot where
the miserable inhabitant was watching them with the most intense
anxiety. The wave which thus threw them in receded, and left
the punt for a few minutes on the rock, during which time they
threw out a rope, which the boy caught, and almost at the same
moment another wave bore off" the punt filled with water, and
neai'ly overwhelmed ; they were then with difficulty taken on
board the pinnace, from whence signs were made to the boy to
tic the rope round his body, and thrust himself to the waves ;
afraid however, or ignorant of tiie meaning of their gestures, he
wound the rope round his hand, but in a moment hastened
to take it off", threw it away, and again mounted the cliffs.
Night was now fast closing in, and the sea and wind continued
unabated ; the boats were reluctantly obliged to retire, and leave
the unfortunate boy for the second night upon this desolate rock
■without food or shelter, and with all the fearful anticipation that
before morning, cold and hunger would terminate his existence ;
aa they retreated, he was seen collecting, in a kind of cavein, a
A.D.
1818
264. CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A-D. niiantitv of weeds with the intention of making a bed, and
1818 ^. . ' . .
picking from the earth some wild vegetables with which the
rock abounds, and which he was observed to eat, when
a fog suddenly concealed him from further observation.
Reluctant to suffer such an interval as between night and
morning to pass, without making a new effort in behalf of the boy,
at eleven o'clock at night, the crew of Mr, Gibbon's whale boat
manned her, and attempted to get out, but could not succeed;
in the morning long before day, she again started with Lieuts.
Bevan and Nason, of the royal navy, and John Isaac Heard,
esq., and rowed towards the island, but with no hope of reaching
it, as the sea and wind were still higher than on either of the
two preceding mornings, and the scene altogether more terrific.
The worst apprehensions were entertained for the boy, who had
been then two days and two nights on the rock, without any other
food than the wild vegetables which it yielded ; those fears
were in some degree relieved, when he was again seen from the
boat, moving about, but hope derived no support from the
aspect of the morning which promised a bad and stormj'^ day.
After I'enewed but fruitless efforts to gain any point of the island,
the whale boat was obliged to return to Kinsale, which it reached
about 12 o'clock, after having been several times in danger of
being swamped ; here a most interesting scene took place, the
crew of an American vessel, the Dayad, which was undergoing
some repairs in the dock-yard of Messrs. Gibbons and Co.,
volunteered to go out in the whale boat, and make an effort to
rescue the boy; their services were gratefully accepted, and they
swore they never would return if they did not succeed. They
then proceeded to make an experiment by firing a musket ball
with a rope attached to it, which was found to convey it with
ease as far as they considered would be necessary, and thus
provided, they pi'oceeded to sea. In the mean time the boats
from Oysterhaven had got into activity, and they could be seen
for three hours in succession, contending with, but scarcely
living in the breakers at the base of the rock ; as the situation.
of the boy became more hopeless, their exertions increased, and
their desperate daring was more visible ; it was impossible that
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
265
he could have survived another niaht, and the knowledge of this A. D.
circumstance seemed to infuse new resolution in the hearts of
the men. Two boats were seen for a long time supporting each
other in their perilous undertaking ; yet they were frequently
concealed for minutes together, in the dip of the sea, or in the
surge of the breakers ; the day was then far advanced, and to
those, who were on the coast provided with glasses, and who
could see what was going forward, there appeared as little hope
of rescuing the boy as on the preceding day, and his fate seemed
inevitable ; they did not know however the resolution which the
crews seemed to have formed, either to succeed or perish, and
the interest of the scene was raised to intense and feverish
excitement, when one of the men, a brave and dauntless fellow,
named Jack Carty, the owner of one of the Oysterhaven boats,
was observed to be tying a rope round his body, and in a few
minutes to throw himself with the most fearless devotion into
a surge, in which his boat could not live : we need not describe
the sensation which prevailed, all attention was now turned
towards this heroic fellow, and the suspense was indescribable,
until he was seen clinging to, and occasionally climbing the cliffs
where an immense sea had left him ; he succeeded in mounting
beyond the reach of the spray, and was soon most actively
employed in assisting the poor boy, who was in a completely
exhausted state of mind and body, and who could with difficvdty
descend to where his preserver beckoned him ; at length he
reached him, and Jack Carty proceeded to invest his body with
the rope, which he had taken from his own, and then performed
the duty of ushering him to the spot where he had himself been
thrown, where he consigned him to the waves. Doubt and
anxiety were again painfully excited, while the men in the boat
were drawing him through the breakers and seas through which
he should pass before his safety could be said to be insured, but
both were dissipated when he was seen taken in over the
gunnel, which was announced by three cheers from the men in the
boats. During these few moments of agitation, the intrepid Jack
Carty, who remained on the island, was forgotten, but the boy's
safety being known, all eyes were turned to the former, who
266 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A- D. could bo distinctly seen sitting down with the utmost composure
on a point of rock, waiting for his own chance of being released.
This happily was not long accomplishing, a rope was flung on
the cliffs, and Jack, more adroit than his predecessor on the
island, soon seized and tied it round his waist and shoulders.
Notwithstanding the perils of the scene, it was almost whimsical
to see this fine fellow collecting the boy's and his own clothes,
which he deliberately tied up in a bundle and put under his
arm, and then descending to the most favourable spot, watched
his opportunity and threw himself into the sea, from which in
the course of about five minutes he was released by his compa-
nions, who gave loud cheers, which were returned from those
parts of the land where they could be heard ; it was then
half-past two o'clock ; the whale boat with the American crew
arrived almost at the moment Carty had got into his boat, but
they were in sight some time before, and were seen rowing in the
most undaunted manner in the heavy sea, and almost in the
surge, choosing the most accessible point of the island. Upon
learning the safety of the boy, they gave three cheers and returned
to Kinsale, scarcely less entitled to public gratitude, than if they
had been the instruments of his preservation ; other boats also
arrived at the moment, ignorant of what had occurred, but all
determined to make a simultaneous eflort. Lieut. Desprang, of
the I'oyal navy, and lieut. Blackyer, of the regiment, had
proceeded in one boat with geese and turkeys, to which were
attached such pieces of bread as they could be supposed to
carry, and which were to be fled in the direction of the island
when the boat got sufficiently near for that purpose ; these
preparations were happily rendered unnecessary ; but those, who
provided them and undertook their superintendence, were
entitled to the greatest praise.
1819 Feb. 20 — There was a violent storm of hail at an early hour
this night, it commenced from the north-west, and continued
with unabated fury during the entire of the next day ; part of a
house near the mansion house was blown down, and the roofs
of several others injured ; a ^great cjuantity of glass was also
blown in.
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 267
Marcli 12. — About half-past seven this evening, a number of AD.
the criminals in the county gaol were detected in the act of
breaking the wall, for the purpose of making a rush on the guard
and turnkeys ; a leg taken from an iron bedstead was their chief
implement in breaking the wall.
jlpr'd 20 — A spinning school was established in this city, into
which twenty-four poor children were admitted, without
distinction of religious persuasion.
May 21 — The common council of this city deliberated upon
an application, made to them by the Dean and Chapter of Cork,
to grant the castle of I31ackrock for a church : the result was
that the application was refused.
June 7 — The foundation stone of the Roman Catholic Chapel
at Blackrock, was laid by Wni. Beamish, esq. assisted by Wm.
Crawford and C. Barrington, esqrs.
Oct. 24 — The repairs of St. Ann Shandon having been com-
pleted, that church was opened for divine service this day.
Dec. — The inspection of the pensioners, which had been
going on for sometime at the new Barrack in this city, terminated,
when the numbers approved of amounted to seven hundred and
forty-seven .
18 — This morning about half-past two o'clock, two houses
recently built in Cove fell in, and buried in their ruins twelve
unfortunate persons ; the heavy rains had undermined the cliiF
which was behhid them.
Jan. 4. — There was a very severe frost. 1810
12. — A gang of rufilans, who for a long time infested the
streets at night, plundering cars and committing several
depredations, were apprehended, and lodged in bridewell by
Mr, sheriff" White.
17. — The Cork and Dublin coach was attacked at Ballypatrick,
at 12 o'clock this night, by a large party, who fired several shots,
which were returned by the guards so resolutely, that the assai-
lants made off.
James Tucker was this day tried at the sessions, held before
the mayor, recorder, and justices of this city, for publishing
blasphemous and seditious libels, (one of which was in the form
268 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A; D. of a parody on the church catechism,) and heing found guilty,
was sentenced to fifteen months' imprisonment.
This season was remarkable for the severity of the weather, it
being generally supposed that the frost equalled that of the year
1739 ; many of the largest rivers in the county, having continued
frozen for some days, it became necessary to have recourse to
sledges to break the ice, to enable the farmers to procure water
for their cattle ; the Lee was crossed in various places by foot
passengers. On the evening of the 17th, a thaw commmenced,
which was succeeded by severe showers of sleet ; on the following
day there was an extremely heavy fall of snow, with a cold bleak
wind from the north east ; towards night it blew tremendously,
accompanied by violent showers of sleet and rain, which in the
city at least had the effect of removing the snow, but the rain
having ceased in the course of the night, the frost again set in,
and with such severity, as to render travelling both difficult and
dangerous ; this weather continued for five weeks, in consequence
of which the poor were reduced to the greatest poverty and
misery, many having been compelled to pawn the wretched
coverings of their beds, to obtain the means of subsistence for
their starving families.
A large covered coal store, belonging to the Messrs. Wise,
which contained upwards of a thousand tons of Scotch coals,
1 was observed this morning to exhibit alarming symptoms
of spontaneous combustion. Some hundreds of labourers were
immmediately employed to remove the coals to an adjoining yard ;
as they proceeded in the work, the coals became hotter, and
the smoke and vapour increased to such an extent as greatly to
incommode the workmen ; and notwithstanding their exertions,
the smoke encreased to such a degree, that little doubt was
entertained of the coals being actually on fire : an alarm was
instantly spread through the city that the distilleiy was in flames,
which caused the greatest consternation, as it blew a violent
snow storm at the time ; at length, by the combined exertions of
the agents of the assurance offices, the sheriffs, constables, and
a large party of the military, the fire was so far .got imder on
the 21st, as to remove every apprehension of danger. The coals
CORK REMEMBRANCER. 2G9
were examined, and found to contain iron pyrites, (sulphate of A. p.
iron) which having been put into the store during wet weather
excited a spontaneous fermentation, and not having been checked
had caused the combustion.
Tlie weather increased in severity, the snow was several feet
deep in the streets, and in various parts of the comitry, the roads
were scarcely discernible.
Jan. 21. — A poor woman perished in a large heap of snow
near Gallows-green.
22. — A change took place in the weather this day ; it
commenced raining, and continued with little intermission until
the 24th. The consequence of this sudden transition was
extremely calamitous. The quick dissolution of the masses of
ice and accumulations of snow on the mountains, at the sources
of the Lee and its tributary streams, caused the river to be much
swollen, and the water still continuing to increase until seven
o'clock, at that hour a great part of the city was inundated ;
Hammond's marsh, Clarke's marsh, Hanover street, Nile street,
Cross street, and all the lanes, by which they were intersected ,
presented an uninterrupted sheet of water, on which were rapidly
hurried along fragments of furniture, tables, chairs, &c. The
houses had at least four or five feet of water on the ground floor.
The state of the poor who resided in the wretched houses, which
were principally under water, was most melancholy ; boats
continued to ply in several of the streets, until dusk, affording
assistance to the poor, at which time the waters fell considerably.
The shipping in Ihe river in some instances suffered ; about one
o'clock a Welsh vessel lying at Pope's qviay was forced away by
the current. The captain and five men who expected nothing
less than total destruction, by her being carried against Patrick's
bridge, dropped a boat from her stern, and got into it ; but they
had scarcely lowered her, when she filled and went down : the
captain and two boys were drowned, the others were with difh-
culty saved. The vessel in the meantime was hurried against the
portcullis of the bridge, when she sustained some injury, but
the two women and the mate, who remained on board, were
saved.
Y
270 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
A. D. The sessions court was adioumed by one of the magistrates,
1820 . .
as the recorder could not leave his house on Bachelor's quay, in
consequence of the flood.
25. — The quoin of the abutments, and part of the new arch,
recently added to the north bridge, were swept away by the flood
early this morning.
A meeting of the clergy and church wardens was held at the
Mansion-house this day, to take into consideration the state of
the poor, and enter into subscriptions for their relief.
Feh. 8. — King George the IV, was proclaimed in this city.
16. — This being the day appointed for the funeral of his
majesty king George the III, there was a general suspension
of business in this city. The citizens and the military of the
gaiTison attended their respective places of worship, which
were hung with black, to accord with the solemnity of the
melancholy occasion, and appropriate sermons were preached
in each. The shijjping in the harbour struck their flags half
mast high; and on the whole, it was a day of gloom and sorrow ;
all denominations of persons being anxious to testify their regret
for our venerated, pious and gracious monarch.
29. — The mayor, sheriffs, recorder, and commonalty of this
city voted an address of condolence to king George the IV, on
the demise of his late majesty, and of congratulation on his
own accession.
THE END.
271
apprntiiAr*
EXTRACTED FROM CERTAIN ROLLS.
FORMING PART OF POPE NICHOLAS' TAXATION, A.D. 1291.*
Taxation of the goods of the Bishop of Cloyne, throughout his whole diocese,
according to the true value, as well in demesne land, as in rents, mills, profits
of a few sheep, perquisites of Chapter-courts and procuration; rated at
one hundred and eighty-five marks, whereof a tenth is eighteen marks and
a half.
Estimate of the Prebends of the Church of Cloyne.
Prebend of the Dean of Cloyne, Master Philip Segda : the chapel of Carry-
gogmach — rated at seven marks, whereof a tenth is nine shillings and fourpence.
Jurisdiction of the same, — ten shillings, whereof a tenth is twelve pence.
Prebend of the precentor of "William de Valla : the church of Kyhnodof-
nog, — ten pounds, a tenth is twenty shillings. Master Adam Handum
receives a third part.
Prebend of the chancellor Richard de Barri : the church of Glenowyr, —
twenty-eight marks and a half, whereof a tenth is thirty-eight shillings.
Prebend of the treasurer Master John Blund : eight marks, a tenth is ten
shillings and eight pence. The vicar Master Charles, receives a third part.
Prebend of the archdeacon, Master Maurice O'Sullevan : the church of
Atheros Neynan, and a moderate portion of Clenowyr,— rated at fifty shillings.
Jurisdiction of same, — tea marks, whereof a tenth is one mark.
Prebend of Master John Cantok : a portion of the church of Brigowe, — at
four marks, whereof a tenth is five shillings and four pence.
Prebend of Master Richard Ocarran : the church of Athull, — at sixteen
shillings and eight pence, whereof a tenth is twenty pence.
Prebend of Master Gilbert Maab»m : a portion of Wissert and a portion of
Drunior, — forty shillings, whereof a tenth is four shillings.
* In the year 1288 Pope Nicholas ihe Fourth granted the tithes of Great Britain and
Ireland to King Edward the first for six years, towards defraying the expenses of an
expedition to the Holy land ; and in order that they might be collected to their full value,
a taxation by the King's precept was commenced the same year. The above extract, which
we have translated, relates to the valuation of the dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, which
was completed in the year 1291.
272 CORK REMEMBRANCER
Prebend of Master Charles Odonkeda : the church of Sobiltre, — two mark?,
whereof a tenth is two shillings and eight pence.
Prebend of Master John Ohonetan : the church of Cul and Brcgwach, —
four marks, whereof a tenth is five shillings and four pence.
Preband of Master David O'Sullevau : the church of Balycaranych, — two
marks and a half, w-hereof a tenth is forty pence.
Prepcnd of Master Philip Obrodere : the chnrch of Cathirultan, — three
marks, whereof a tenth is four shillings.
Prepend of Thomas Osithethan : the church of Kylcridan, — tw'o marks
and a half, whereof a tenth is forty pence.
Prepend of Master Philip O'Hynovan : the Church of Imscara and
^Magumkeda, — twenty shillings, a tenth is two shillings.
Common property (communia) of the whole church of Cloyne, — rated at
ten pounds, whereof a tenth is twenty shillings.
Estimate of the goods of the Abbot de Chorobenedicti in rents, husbandry,
profits of court and mills, — twenty marks, a tenth is two marks. They
are however burdened with debt beyond their estimated moiety.
Estimate of the demesne of the Abbot de Albo-tractu, which does not hold
communication with {tion conversat) the diocese of Cloyne, and
( ) of his court, — si.\ marks, whereof a tenth is eight shillings.
Estimate of all the goods of the Abbot de Castro Dei, in Fermoy, —
tvveuty-five marks, whereof a tenth is two marks and a half. They are
so burdened with debt, that they have not the means of support.
Estimate of the goods of the Priory of the blessed Virgin Mary de Ponte,
in Fermoy, in demesne land, husbandry rents, profits of animals, courts
and mills, extends to forty-one pounds fifteen shillings, whereof a
tenth is six marks eighteen pence.
Estimate of the priory of the blessed Thomas and Mary, near Bucon, in
demesne land, husbandry, profits of animals and a mill, — fifteen
pounds, whereof a tenth is thirty shillings.
Estimate of the Ecclesiastical benefice of Cinakylle.
The church of Ygohcl, of which the rector is, this year, Nicholas de Cler;
the vicar Robert dc Halywell, — valued at twenty -five pounds, whereof a tenth
is fij'ty shillings.
The church of Inchicoyn : the rector and vicor of which is the same, — at
ten pounds, whereof a tenth is twenty shillings.
The Chapel of Ardaych : the rector and vicar of which is the same, — at fo'ur
pounds, whereof a tenth is eight shillings.
The Chapel of Inchembramf ; the rector and vicar of which is the same, —
at two pounds, whereof a tenth is four shillings.
The chapel of Itirnnoriw : the rector and vicar of which is the same, — at
eight marks, whereof a tenth is ten shillings and eight pence.
A particle belonging to the rectory of Eglassyn, viz., Bal\ alan, — one mark,
whereof a tenth is sixteen pence.
The Chapel of Sardeywochy, of which tlic Abbot of St. Thomas is rector, —
two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings and eight pence.
APPENDIX,
The clwjjcl of Botyllaii, with a propoition of the rectory, — rated at Iwd
marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings and eight-pence.
The church of Kylmayne : the rector of which is the prior of the hospital,
which is exempt ; the vicar is Philip O'Colman,— seven pounds, a tenth of
the vicarage, is four shillings and eight-pence.
The chapel of Balygornu : the rectors of which are the prior of Exeter,
and Philip Ocelman ; the vicar is Maurice M'ethgan, — at live marks,
whereof a tenth is half a mark.
The chapel of Ninch, — eight marks, whereof a tenth is ten shillings and
eight-pence.
The church of Gorkbeg, — one hundred shillings, whereof a tenth is ten
shillings.
The church of Athfadrt, — two pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence,
whereof a tenth is five shillings and four pence.
The church of Roskelan, — (a tenth of the vicarage is four shillings,") four
pounds, whereof a tenth is eight shillings.
The chapel of Rath, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings and
eight pence.
The chapel of Fitz-Robert, — three pounds two shillings, whereof a tenth is
six shillings and two pence.
The church of Moyosich : the hospitallers are the rectors, — thirty-two
shillings, a tenth of the vicarage is nineteen shillings.
Thomas M'b^m, and John de Lees, who is dead, are the rectors for the
other portion, — thirty-two shillings, whereof a tenth is three shillings and two
\)ence half-penny.
The church of the castle of Chore, — three marks, whereof a tenth is four
shillings.
The chapel of Inchcnebaky, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings
and eight -pence.
The church of Martir,— five marks, whereof a tenth is half a mark.
The church of MoycUe, — seven marks, whereof a tenth is nine shillings and
four-pence.
The chapel of Dangurdonwan, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings
and eight-pence.
The church of Kyll, — ten marks, whereof a tenth is one mark.
The chapel of Tachteskyn, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings
and eight-pence.
Estimate of the churches of Clethan.
The church of Rochrum, — eight marks and a half, whereof a tenth is eleven
shilhngs and four-pence.
The church of the castle of Clethan, — twenty marks, whereof a tenth is
two marks.
The church of Athearne, — thirty shillings, whereof a tenth is three shillings.
The church of Cuokume, — one hundred shillings, whereof a tenth is leu
shillings.
273
274 CORK REMEMDRANCER
The chdpcl of Moyl, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillingB and eight
jieiice.
The chapel of Balath, — twenty shillings, whereof a tenth is two shillings.
The church of Newtown, — twelve marks, whereof a tenth is sixteen shillings.
The church of Clonmolt, — thirty shillings, whereof a tenth is three shillings.
The church of Dungorn, — six marks, whereof a tenth is eight shillings.
The church of Balvspellan, — twenty shillintrs, whereof a tenth is two
shillings.
The church of Drumor, — three pounds, whereof a tenth is sis shillings.
The church of Inchetolyn, thirty shillings, whereof a tenth is three shillings.
The chapel of Lyskul, — twenty-eight shillings, whereof a tenth is two
shillings and nine-pence halfpenny.
The chapel of Balycaranich, — two marks, a tenth is two shillings and
eight pence.
The church of Carrugtochil, — sixteen marks, whereof a tenth is twenty-one
shillings and four-pence.
The church of Kylcurfyn, — twenty shillings, whereof a tenth is two shillings.
Estimate of the Churches of Fermoy.
The church of Moyla, — ten pounds, whereof a tenth is twenty shillings.
The church of Cathirdugan, — si.xteen marks, whereof a tenth is twenty-one
shillings and four-pence.
The church of Russath, — five marks, whereof a tenth is half a mark.
The church of Dunrayl, — thirteen marks, whereof a tenth is seventeen
shillings and four-pence.
The chapel of Closdufog, — eight marks, whereof a tenth is ten shillings and
eight pence.
The chapel of Cleuwyr, — five marks, whereof a tenth is half a mark.
The church of Carrug, — five marks, whereof a tenth is half a mark.
The church of Rahin, — five marls, whereof a tenth is half a mark.
The church of Monawmuyn, — four marks, whereof a tenth is five shillings
and fourpence.
The church in Castle David, — sixteen marks, whereof a tenth is twenty-one
shillings and fom-pence.
The church of Ballyggin, — six marks, whereof a tenth is eight shillings.
The church of Sonnachgowin, — five marks, whereof a tenth is half a mark.
The chapel of Silvesterstown, — three marks, whereof a tenth is four shillings.
The church of Kylcomyr,— thirty shillings, whereof a tenth is three shillings.
The church of Athulla, — fifty shillings, whereof a tenth is five shillings.
The church of Kyllaych, —five marks and a half, whereof a tenth is seven
shillings and fourpence.
The church of Lcttir, — nine marks, whereof a tenth is twelve shillings.
APPENDIX. 275
The church of Kylcniinirthir, — six marks, whereof a tenth is ciglit shillings.
The church of Fogbcg, — six marks and a half, whereof a tenth is eight
shillings and eight pence.
The chapel of Lectrum,— five marks, whereof a tenth is one mark and a half.
The chapel of Ocrion, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings and
eight pence.
The church of Brigow, — four marks, whereof a tenth is five shillings and
fourpence.
The church of Dangyn, — five marks and forty pence, whereof a tenth is
seven shillings.
The church of Marshallstown, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings
and eight-pence.
The church of Kyldarur, — thirty shillings, whereof a tenth is three shillings.
The church of Achlyskinolaga, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shil-
lings and eightpence.
The chapel of Cachoyrdunan, — four marks, whereof a tenth is five shillings
and eightpence.
The church of Loch, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings and
eightpence.
Estimate of the Churches of Muscydonnegan.
The church of Eoctanaund, — fifteen marks, whereof a tenth is twenty
shillings.
The church of Lathban, — six marks, whereof a tenth is eight shillings.
The chapel of Arumdewony, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings
and eightpence.
The church of Munemanarrach, — twenty shillings, whereof a tenth is two
shillings.
The church of Orwery, — six marks, whereof a tenth is eight shillings.
The church of Kylbryn, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings and
eightpence.
The chapel of Rogi Calin, — twenty shillings, whereof a tenth is two shillings.
The church of Anathcrohan, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings
and eight pence.
The church of Kylbalyn, — six marks, whereof a tenth is eight shillings.
The church of Kylscarwyl, — twenty shillings, whereof a tenth is two shil-
lings.
The church of Brucuny, — twelve marks, whereof a tenth is sixteen shillings.
The church of Kylbrone, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shillings and •
eightpence.
The chapel of Bregog, — six marks, whereof a tenth is eight shillings.
The church of Tulachles, — one mark, whereof a tenth is sixteen pence.
The church of Inthric, — thirty shillings, whereof a tenth is three shillings.
The chapel of Ballyochran, — five marks, whereof a tenth is half a mark.
27G CORK REMEMBRANCER
The church of Saundrum, — ten marks, whereof a tenth is one mark.
The church of Rath,— eight marks, whereof a tenth is ten shillings and
eightpcnce.
A particle of Carrikelochir, — ten shillings, whereof a tenth is twelve pence.
The church of Baletach, — fifteen marks, whereof a tenth is twenty shillings.
The church of Fersketh, — five marks, whereof a tenth is half a mark.
The church of Colenene, — two marks and a half, whereof a tenth is two
shillings and eightpence
Estimate of the Churches of Mustlyn.
The church of Kownachgaure, — two marks, whereof a tenth is two shil-
lings and eight pence.
The vicarage of the same, — six marks, whereof a tenth is eight shillings.
The church of Eranach, — four marks, whereof a tenth is five shillings and
four pence.
The other churches and chapels of the said deanery, belonging to the prior
of the hospital, of which a tenth ought to he paid.
The goods of the bishop of Ross, — twenty-nine marks, ten shillings, and
six pence half-penny, whereof a tenth is thirty-nine shillings, and eight pence
half-penny.
The goods of the prior of Ross, — sixteen shillings and eight pence, whereof
a tenth is twenty peace.
The church of the cathedral of Ross, — twenty shillings.
The church of Rath, — four marks.
The church of Fard, — twenty shillings.
The church of Kylkeran, — twenty shillings.
The church of Kyly, — five shillings.
The church of Insula, — one mark.
The church of Tagumlag, — six marks.
The church of Lyslyg, — six marks.
The church of Crodar, — six mai-ks.
The church of Kylumloda, — four marks.
The church of Nadryd, — one mark.
The church of Disirdtrum, — one mark.
The church of Kyllogineg, — six marks.
The church of Kylkatterin, — one mark.
The church of Kylman, — one mark.
The church of Kylkascan and Drumfegna, — one mark.
The church of Myrdris, — one mark.
The church of Glenbean, — twenty shillings.
The church of Tulag, — twenty shillings.
The church of Crinag, — one mark .
The church of Agyrim — twenty shillings.
The church of Kvlcodv, — one mark.
APPENDIX. 277
Estimate of the temporalities of the Lord Bishop of Cork : —
In rents, — forty marks.
In lands, and in all other profits of temporalities, — twenty-four marks.
In all profits from spiritualities,- forty mark?.
The entire is £90 6s. 8.,— The tenth thereof £6 18s. 8d.
The jurisdiction of the dean of Cork, — thirty shillings.
The jurisdiction of the archdeacon of Cork, —one hundred shillings.
The common property of Cork, — six marks.
The entire is £40 10s., — whereof a tenth is 2ls,
Estimate of the churches of the diocese of Cork; the deanery of Ocblycthau,
The church of Corkapau, — three marks. The vicar receives a half.
The church of KilcuUy, — three marks. The vicar receives a half.
The church of Dunbolg,— seven marks.
The church of Rathcoona, — eight marks.
The church of Gartheuegejlhe, — four marks. The vicar receives a half.
The church of Sanbaly, — tlu-ee marks. The vicar receives a half.
The church of Kyllanekan, — four marks. The vicar receives a third part.
The church of Kylcoan, — five marks.
The church of Kylasputmallan, — four marks. The vicar receives a half.
The church of Glynmaygyr, — seven marks.
The church of Balydufloythyr, — six marks. The vicar receives a third part.
The church of Corthirlage, — seven marks.
The church of Sandona, — seven marks. The vicar receives a half.
The church of the blessed Peter, — twelve marks.
The church of the Holy Trinity, — fifteen marks.
The church of the Island, — forty marks. The vicar receives a half.
The entire is £64 13s. 4d.— a tenth thereof, is £6 9s. iiL
The deanery of Kyrricureth.
The church of Boye, — twelve marks.
The church of Lystlerith, — eight marks.
The church of Kyllynelith, — eight marks.
The church of Beannier, with its ap])urtenances, viz. Kylnoglerath and
Anglasse, — thirty three pounds, nine shillings and eight pence.
The church of Corbaly, — nine marks.
The church of Balymolunthril, — six marks.
The church of Carrig^ffau, — four marks. There is no vicar.
z
278 CORK REMEMBRANCER
The church of Kylneglory, — three marks.
The church of Kylconla, — ten marks.
The priory of Lyegan, ii> temporalities and spiritualities, — ten marks'.
The temporalities of the Abbot de Antro, — ten marks.
The entise is £S&. 16s. 4a.,— a tenth thereof is £8 136. 7d, ob
Lynnalethe altra.
The ehurch of Ruion, — ten marks.
The church of Alcyn, — twenty shillings.
The church of Kylgoban, — six marks.
The church of Tahyn, — si.\ marks and a half.
The church of Crotheran, - five marks.
The church of Rathlarya, — four marks.
The church of Boryon, — eight marks.
The church of Kylsunkyl, — three marks.
The church of Kylbucau— three marks.
The church of Rathdruchtin, — four marks.
The church of Donaghbuchary, — five marks.
The church of Balybudan, — seven marks.
The church of Ymsogenan, — fifteen marks.
The church of Bryn,— five marks.
The church of Cnocbile, — ten marks.
The entire is £62., — a tenth thereof is, £G 'J*.
The deanery of Biimbeth, citra^
The church of Lachmoin, — five marks.
The church of Dwnach, — eight marks.
The church of Kylmy, — eight raarka*
The church of Kullyn, — five marks.
The church of Belachssrihr^'d, — ten marks.
The church of PoUakely,— six marks.
The church oi Fotchnal, — five marks.
The church of Crewdiry, — three marks.
The church of Kylmol, — four marks.
The church ef Chmced, — seven marks^.
The church of Kincorran, — nine marks-.
The church of Kesaly, — three mark*
The church of Tachsax«, — si.\ naavks- , ^
APPENDIX.
:79
The cKntch lof Diieowrvvy, — fuur marks.
The entire is £55 6s. 8d.,— a tenth thereof is £5 lOs. 8(L
The deanery of Corknuwyn.
The deanery of Dundri,— tliirty shillings, except the portion of the
hospital.
The chinch of Drumoikan, — two marks. The vicar receives half.
The church of Moyal, — two marks.
The church of Arb, — two marks. The vicar receives half.
The church of Dungarnon, — two marks.
The church of Athorehowa, — three marks, except the portion of ths
hospital.
The temporalities of the abbot de Albo Tractu, — ten pounds.
The entire is £18 16s. 8d., — a tenth thei-eof is 37s. 8il.
ROTUI.US LANGDIGABILI CIVITATIS CORKE *
Pro parva villa, VId.
Pro domo Johannis Skyddy iuxta por-
tam borialem ex parte orientali, VId
Pro domo eiusdem Johannis, Vlld.
Pro domo Johannis, filii Nicholai,
Crew;igh, Vd ob.
Pro domo Johannis Hene, Vd ob.
Pro domo eiusdem, VId ob..
Pro domo Johannis Anagh, IVd.
Pro domo Willielmi Wynchidon,lVd.
Pro domo Johannis Skiddy, IVd ob.
Pro domo Margt. Kandebek, 1 Vd ob.
Pro domo heredis Ricardi Lawallyn,
IVd ob.
Pro domo Thome Milot, IVd ob.
Pro domo Ricardi Ston., Vd., q.
Pro domo Johannis Skiddy, Vd q.
Pro domo Willielmi GowUis, l\d.
Pro domo Ricardi Ston., Illd. ob
Pro domo eiusdem Ricardi, Vlld ob.
Pro domo eiusdem Ricardi, Vd ob.
Pro domo eiusdem, Vd ob.
Pro domo, eiusdem, \d ob.
Pro domo eiusdem qd. Thomas
Wynchedon, occujjat, Vd ob.
Pro domo Margaret Candebek, Vd ob.
Pro domo Willielmi Copener, Vd ob.
Pro domo Thome Wynchedon, Vd ob.
Pro domo Grogorii Lumbard, Vd ob.
Pro domo heredis Knape in qua
Johannes Myagh manet, Vd. ob.
Pro domo eiusdem., Vd ob.
• This Roll which is in the pos=ession of Mr. Jnmes Roche, of Cork, has no d.ite ; Sir
\i'm- Betham is of opinion that the manuscript belongs to the reign of Richarti the Second
or Henry the Fourth. Yet we find, Skiddy's Castle (which was not built 'till 1-J4J, luen-
uoned in it. We print the word* uncontracted.
280
CORK REMEMBRANCER.
Pro domo Johannis Myagh quomlam
Reith. Vd. ob
Pro domo eiusdem, Vd;
Pro domo eiusdem, Vd.
Pro domo Dermicii Cogan, Vlld,
Produobistenementis Johannis Kieri,
Vlld ob.
Pro domo Edmundi Tirri, Vlld. ob.
Pro domo eiusdem, Vd.
Pro domo Willielmi filii Roberti
White, VId.
Pro domo Ricardl Ston., Vd. ob,
I'ro domo Petri Burdox, VILl.
Pro domo Johannis Murwagh, Vd,
Pro domo eiusdem Johannis, Vlld ob.
Pro cune venella. ( )
Pro domo eiusdem Johannis, Vd ob.
Pro domo DionisUKerican, IVd Illq.
Pro domo Willielmi Wynchedon. Vd
Illq.
Pro domo Johannis Murvagh, Vd.
Pro domo Margaret Candebek, Xld.
Pro domo Galfridi Galwey, VId.
Pro domo heredis Knape, Vlld.
Pro domo Galfridi Gallwy, Vllld.
Pro domo eiusdem, Vlld ob.
Pro domo Margt. Candebek, VI lid.
Pro domo heredis Ricardi Reith, Xld,
Pro domo Edmundi Tyrry, que vo-
catur Markis lane, Vd.
Pro domo Johannis Myagh, IVd. q.
Pro domo Johannis Wynchedon, IVd
Pro domo Galfridi Gallwy, IVd. ob.
Pro placea Johannis Wynchedon,
IVd. ob.
Pro domo eiusdem, IVd.
Pro domo eiusdem, IVd. ob.
Pro domo eiusdem, IVd.
Pro domo eiusdem, Illd q.
Pro domo eiusdem, IVd q.
Pro domo eiusdem, Vd ob.
Pro domo Edmundi White, Vd ob.
Pro domo eiusdem Edmundi, Vdob.
Pro domo eiusdem, Vd ob.
Pro domo Thome Wiuchcdun, Illd (|.
Pro domo heredis, David Walsh,
Illdq.
Pro domo Galfridi Galwey, Vlld.
Pro domo Thome Martyn, Vlld q.
Pro domo heredis Thome Any, Ilkl
ob. q.
Pro domo eiusdem, VId.
Pro domo Galfridi Galwey, VId.
Pro domo Johannis Skiddy, VId.
Pro cone venella. ( )
Pro domo Margt. Candebek, IVd ob.
Pro domo Johannis Murwagh, Vllld.
Pro domo heredis Johannis, Wyn-
chedon, Vd.
Pro domo Thome Mylot, IVd q.
Pro domo heredis Johannis Winehe-
don, Illd.
Pro domoeiusdem, Johannis, Vlld ob.
Pro domo eiusdem heredis, Vd,
Pro domo Thome Winchcdon, Vd,
Pro domo eiusdem Thome, Vd ob.
Pro domo Willielmi Gowllis, Vlld ob.
Pro domo Johnnnis Murwagh, Vlld.
Pro domo Galfridi Galwey, VId.
Pro domo que Johannes Miagh tenet
de villa ad rcdditus, VId.
Pro domo Thome Martyn, IVd.
Pro domo Johannis Skiddy, Xd,
Pro domo Willielmi Copener, Xd.
Pro domo Thome Mylot, Vd ob.
Pro domo eiusdem, Vd ob.
Pro domo heredis Thome Copener,
IVd.
Pro domo Thome Milot, IVd q.
Pro domo cappelle beate marie ecclesie
sancti trinitatis, IVd,
Pro domo Thome Wynchidon, IVd ob
Pro domo Willielmi GouUis, IVd ob.
Pro domo eiusdem, Vllld.
Pro domo Johannis Skiddy, IVd,
Pro domo heredis Thome Any et
Thome Pik, IVd.
Pro domo Margaret Candibek, IVd
Pro domo eiusdem Margarete, VId ob'
Pro domo eius^lciu IVd q.
APPENDIX.
281
Pro domo que Thomas Ulilot tenet dc
villa ad redditus, ( )
Pro domo Willielmi GouUis, Illd ob.
Pro domo Nicholai Arto, Xd ob.
Pro domo Johannis Murwagh, IVd.q
Pro domo Willielmi Whit, IVd.
Pro domo Thome Pik, et heredis
Thome Any, Vd q.
Pro domo eorundem, I\ d.
Pro domo Thome Wynchidon ct
Ricardi Ston, IVd.
Pro domo Willielmi GouUis, et Wil-
lielmi Winchidon, IVd,
Pro domo eiusdem Willielmi ( ) lid
Pro domo eiusdem Willielmi, VId.
Pro domo eiusdem, Vd
Pro domo eiusdem, Vd.
Pro domo heredis Ricardi Lawallyn ,
Hid. q
Pro domo Willielmi Whit, IVd.
Pro domo heredis Ricardi Lawallyn,
VId.
Pro domo heredis Thome Any, VId.
Pro domo in qua Walterus (honinam
^M ?) manet, VI Id. q
Pro domo Galfridi Galvvey, IVd.
Pro domo eiusdem, IVd ob.
Pro domo eiusdem, IVd.
Pro domo eiusdem, IVd ob.
Pro domo eiusdem, ( ) Id.
Pro domo in qua Johannes Heyn
manet, VId.
Pro domo Mathci filii Mauricii, Vd.
Pro domo Ricardi Ston, VId.
Pro domo Thome Martyn, Vd.
Pro domo Johannis Winchidon, IVd.
Pro domo Andree Stackboll, IVd ob
Pro placea Willielmi Pollard, lid. ob
Pro placea heredis filii Willielmi
Cogan , Xd.
Pro domo Margaret Candibck, Vd,
Pro domo Margarcte Roch, Vd.
Pro domo David Walsh, VId.
Pro d<nno cappelle beate Marie
ecclesie trinitatis, lid ob.
Pro domo quondam, Willielmi Strich,
Vlld. ob
Pro domo Derniicii Mahon, Vd.
Pro domo Johannis, Murawgh, IVd
Pro domo Johannis Skiddy, VId.
Pro domo Roberti Gardiner, VId.
Pro domo Johannis Skiddy, Vd.
Pro domo Ricardi Ston, Vd.
Pro domo Poere & Willielmi Win-
chidon, Vd.
Pro domo Ricardi Fox, Xd.
Pro duabus domibus Willielmi Goul-
lis, Xld.
Pro domo Thome Brenaghe, IVd ob.
Pro domo heredis, Thome Lawallyn,
IVd ob.
Pro domo MargareteCandibek,IVdob
Pro domo cappelle beate Marie
ecclesie Petri Cork, VId.
Pro domo Galfridi Galwey, Xld.
Pro domo Willielmi Low, Vd ob.
Pro domo quondam Phillippi Ston.,
Vd ob.
Pro domo heredis Anastasii GordonVd
Pro domo eiusdem, VId.
Pro domo heredis Kardyef, Xlld.
Pro domo Johannis Skiddy. IVd.
Pro domo cappelle, beate Marie
Petri. Hid q.
Pro placea Dermicii Mahon, VId.
Pro domo Johannis Skiddy et de
castello, XI Id.
Pro domo Willielmi Whit, VId.
Pro domo Ricardi Lawallyn, VId.
Pro domo ( ) VId q.
The parchment here has been pared, probably for the purpose of removing
a damaged part.
Note.— The portion lost may liave been of consideralilc estent ; forthe aggregate of the
sumi falls greatly short of the sum of 80 marks, the foe farm of the city payable to the
crown. This document was possibly an account uf the applotmeut of that suui.
282
CORK REMEMBRANCER
Pro duabus domibus Juhanuis Miagh,
Hid, Hid
Prodomo quondam, Thome Milot, lid
Pro domo Willielmi Kerkan,XII.( )
Pro domo Willielmi filii Johanuis,
Hid X
Pro orto Galfridi Galwcy, lid.
Pro moleudinis, Illd.
Pro domo Nicholai Tacky, lid, VId.
Pro domo Thome Whit. Hop. Vd.
In dorso.
Redditus civitatis Cork.
Pro domo Johannis Martell, Vd.
Pro domo Johannis Edwardi, Vd.
Pro domo quondam Roberti Gardiner,
Hid.
Pro venella Johannis Murwagh, Xlld
Pro domo Maurr O Morroth, IVd,
IVd.
Pro domo in qua Thomas Winchidon
manet, Vllld.
Pro uno orto in le nard q. Ni-
cholaus Giliward, occupat. ( )
Copy of a document indorsed, "A list of the ancient natives and inhabitant*
of the citty of Cork, sent by me James Copinger to England," and in a
different hand, " Corke 1652."
David Lo : Vicecount Sarsfeld of
Kilmallock.
O Sr. Robert Copinger, Kt.
Edmond Sarsfeld fK Domnickjesq""
William Meade, esqf
In James Copinger, esq""
William Hore, esqre
O William Tyrry fz Pa :
In Stephen Copinger,
George Tyrry,
In Francis Roche,
In John Galwey fz Andrew,
O David Martell fz Thomas,
In James Goold fz Thomas
In James Lavallyn,
O John Lavallyn,
In James Ronayne.
James Galwey fz Francis,
O George Goold fz William,
O John Meade of Meadestowne,
O Robert Tyrry fz Robert,
O Michael Goold fz Thomas,
*Sic
In Stephen Roche fz James,
O Domnick Morrogh,
In Domnick Sarsfeld, als. Sarsfeld*
O James Morrogh,
In John Gerald fz Thomas,
Walter Copinger fz Walter,
George Galwey,
O John Walters fz Christo:
In Patrick Roche fz Morris,
Edward Roche fz Morris,
Domnick Tyrry fz Domnick,
Doctr. Morrice Roche,
Patrick Tyrry fz Pa :
Domnick Tyrry fz Patrick,
John Archdeacon,
O John Meade fz John,
Morrice Roche fz Richard, esq',
O Patrick Meade fz David,
O Patrick Galwey fz Richard,
O Francis Creagh,
Henry Archdeacon,
O William Creagh. Pierce Creaghf
t Added in another hand.
APPENDIX.
283
In
O
Walter Cnpingpr fz Domuitk,
David Meskcll,
William Archdeacon,
Philip Martell fz Tliomas,
Adam Goold fz James,
Edmond Copinger fz John,
James Copinger fz John,
Edward Galwey als. Galwey, *
Edward Galwey fz John,
Edmond Kerney.
Thomas Copinger fz John,
William Copinger fz Adam,
George Goold fz Edmond,
William Walters,
Walter Galwey fz Richard,
David Goold fz Thomas,
John Myagh,
James Galwey fz Stephen,
Geffrey Galwey,
Robert Copinger fz Domnick,
William Verdon,
William Tyrry fz Oliver,
Phillip Roche fz Patrick,
David Goold fz James,
David Tyrry fz Stephen,
Patrick Ronayne,
Piers Tyrry,
Robert Goold,
Domnick Martell,
John Gerald fz James,
James Hore fz William,
O Robert Verdon,
Domnick Walters,
Domnick Pounch,
Mathew Hore,
Robert Copinger fz Adam,
O Walter Whyte als. Whyte f
James Creagh. Rich.CreaghX
Richard Tyrry fz George,
Stephen Tyrry fz George,
John Roche fz John,
John Roche fz Edward,
O John Copinger fz Edmond,
John Copinger fz Thomas,
William Ronayne fz Richard
3 John Tyrry fz John,
Edmond Roche fz Domnick,
Patrick Goold fz Edmond,
) Robert Haly,
Walter Goold fz Patrick
Thomas Sarsfeld fz Edmond
Domnick Sarsfeld fz Edmond
Patrick Sarsfeld fz Thomas,
C Patrick Sarsfeld fz William
Edmond Sarsfeld fz William
0 David Gold fz Michell,
John Walters fz Domnick,
Richard Greagh fz George,
1 Domnick Creagh fz George,
Patrick Galwey fz Christopher
J Nicholas Skiddy fz William
James Myagh fz Andrew,
O Morrice Roche fz Morris
Morrice Roche fz John,
John Galwey fz Walter,
John Verdon,
_ ^^ j^ Mathews. O
John Goold fz Richard, O
Nicholas Goold fz Christopher, O
Richard Tyrry fz Piers,
Francis Martell,
Edmond Martell, O
Thomas Martell,
In William Lombard,
John Galwey fz Christopher, O
Nicholas Lombard, O
Andrew Galwey fz William,
Edmond Roche fz James, O
Patrick Goold fz James,
Patrick Roche fz William,
Edmond Goold fz John,
William Goold fz Thomas,
George Walters,
Christopher Walters,
James Tyrry fz Domnick, O
John Galwey fz Michell,
Robert Martell,
Edward Goold,
• Sic
t Sic
X A(U«(l in another hand.
284
CORK REMEMBRANCER
William Goold fz Edward,
Patrick Walters,
Michaell Stanton,
Henry Goold fz James, O
Phillip Stanton.
William Roche,
Robert Harding,
Robert Myagh fz Patrick,
James Myagh fz Patrick,
Francis Goold fz Piers,
Andrew Skiddy,
Arthur Galwey,
Ignatius Goold,
James Lombard fz William,
James Skiddy fz Thomas, O
James Roche fz John,
In Andrew Morrogh fz Andrew,
Francis Morrogh,
David Myagh fz David, O
In Charles Carty,
In James Myagh fz James
John Wailsh,
David Ronayne,
William Goold fz Phillip,
Patrick Nash,
Richard Meskell,
James Martell,
John Fagan,
Christopher Fagan,
William Fagan,
John Roche fz Richard,
Patrick Galwey fz Christopher,
Christopher Goold fz James,
Garrett Myagh fz Patrick,
George Tyrry,
Richard Tyrry fz George,
Stephen Tyrry fz George,
George Morrogh,
Oliver Morrogh,
Domnick Roche fz Domnick,
John Goold fz Henry,
James Roche fz Domnick,
Christopher Galwey,
Patrick Sarsfield fz Patrick,
William Copingcr fz John,
Patrick Copinger fz John,
William Meade fz Stephen,
O Pierce Goold fz Adam,
James Galwey fz James
Bartholomew Rice,
Patrick Meade fz John,
George Myagh,
John Bowler,
Francis Copinger,
William Lavallyn,
Patrick Lavallyn,
James Galwey fz James
In George Skiddy,
James Roche fz Nicholas,
Richard Arthur,
David Haly,
James Roche fz Morris,
Francis Tyrry fz Domnick,
James Roche fz Patrick,
Francis Tyrry fz Robert,
Walter Goold fz William,
Thomas Martell,
John Skiddy,
William Galwey fz Edward,
Morris Bowler,
O John Morrogh fz Henry,
Patrick Sarsfeld fz Patrick,
David Galwey fz Edward,
David Mlane,
Francis Martell,
George Roche,
Francis Goold fz Pierce
John Walters fz George
Domnick Tyrry fz Patrick,
George Goold,
Garrett Goold,
Michaell Martell
Peter Meagh,
Adam Goold fz David,
Domnick Harding,
Edmond Tyrry fz Wm,
Robert Tyrry fz Wm.
George Roche fz Andrew,
Walter Morrogh fz Michell,
Michaell Goold fz Richard,
Edmond Sarsfeld fz Wm.
Andrew Morrogh fz Edmond,
APPENDIX,
285
Edmond Why to,
Doiiniick Whyte
Stci)hen Whyto,
Rickaril Ronaync,
Patrick Goold fz "James,
Richard Gerald, O
John Gerald, O
Ciprj-aii Morrogh,
Nicholas Corbally,
Edmond Corbally,
Patrick Roche fz Domnick,
Henry Goold fz Edmond,
John Copinger fz Adam,
Rit^hard (roold fz Pierce,
Patrick Goold fz Richard,
Andrew iMyagh fz James,
Francis Goold fz John,
Patrick Roche fz John,
Morris Roche fz Patrick,
George Goold,
Domnick Roche fz James
Edmond Roche fz Francis
Edward Roche fz Francis,
Thomas Copinger fz Stephen,
Maurice Roche fz James,
Richard Stanton,
Patrick My,igh fz John,
Nicholas Myagh fz John,
CASE AND OPINION,*
TEMPORE HE.V: VIII.
Here followeth the case hangingo nowe in variannco, wherein wc desire yor
advise; and to th'cntente ye maye the better understande and assoillthc same,
yc shall knowe tliat the maior and both the bailivis of Corcke fur the tyme
beinge, accordinge the nse and cnstume of the same, ought and muste choise
and electe thrc goodc able men, that is to saye, everye of theym one mane, of
whiche thre goode able psor.ps the hole Comons of Corcke forsaid shall electe
one to be there gouver and maior of the same. So the case is this, one of
Corcke forsaid, came to one of the bailivis, and bargayned, covenanted- and
delyvred unto hym.certeyn some of moneye, for the elcctinge and choisingeof
hym to^that prpose. And so he deed and was elected and made maior by the
hole Comons of the same thatyere, by the meanes of the said bailivis sixe yere
agone. Nowe whether the same pson so elected and made maio? ought to
have restituicione of his moneye so delyvered in man aforesaid or not.
In or heartie manner this shalbe to advtise youe how that John Copinger
have desired us upon the case aforesaid, to sertefie youe of or opinion therein,
less that youe upon the same to be suyed befor youe, in faut of knolege, sholde
ordyn the same, other then the ordyr of the king or sovraine lorde^s 'lawes ;
wherfor we do sertefie youe that the^ person, whiche did give the monye
aforsaul to the other, can not have accon for to recovr the same monie againe,
ne other recompenc therfor, be theordyir of the said lawe; so knowithe or
Lord who prscrvc youe.
Yor lovyng frends,
Gerald Aylm, Justice,
Thomas Lutrell, Justice,
James Bathe, Baron,
Thomas Cusake, Mr- Rotlorm.
' Roche MSs.
Al
286 CORK REMEMBRANCER
*" This Indenture made the 6th daj' of Fehruary, Ao dini 1606, botwne
Phillipp Gould, esquier, archdeacon of Cork, John Goule, minister and parish
priest of the church of St. Peter's in Corck aforesaid, [ names struck out, ]
i-hurch-wardens of said church, and the rest of the imdernamed
persons, parishioners of the said church of St. Peter's, of th'one partis, and
Thomas Carrule fz Richard of the same, tayhjr, and Stephen Skiddy fits
Nicholas of the same, merchaunt, of th'other partie, Witnesseth, that the said
Phillipp Gould, archdeacon, John Goule, minister, [ names struck out, }
church-wardens, and all the rest of the undeniamied' persons, parishioners, by
one comon consent and assent, for divs good and lawful considerations us and
every of us thereunto moving, have demise"', graunted', sett and lett, as by these
presents we and every of us do demise, graunt, sett and lett unto the said
Thomas Carrulle, and Stephen Skiddy, All That, the voyd roome in the fore-
frount of St. Peter's Church, in Corck aforsaid, to the streate v«arde on the-
east syde of the pynacle of the said church, extendinge in lenght betwae both
the stone pyllers of the pynacle of the said church, north and south; aind w»
breath from the pynacle on the weast to the channell by the king's streate on
the east ; and in height to the teyle of the tower, and of the gable of glassh
wyndowes of the said church ; To Have and to Hold, the fore.^aid voyd rome,
in lenght, bi-eath, and height, as aforestiid^and all and singuller, th'appte"nces
thereunto belonginge, or anywise appertayninge- whatsoevJ", with free egresse
and regresse to the same & evy parte and parcell thei'eof tsb buy]d therein a
shoppe or shoppes v/th tember vvourk or stone wourks, unto the said Thomas
Carrulle and Stephen Skiddye, their heyeres, execrsand assignees," for tiie
term of thirty-one years, at the yearly rent of 10s. sterling. And in said lease
is contained a clause for ?e-entry into said premises, "if same be convenient for
any other good wourk for the use of the church," the said lessors or their
successors paying for same, the award of two indifferent men; and also a proviso
that same should not be set to any ai-tificer, hut a nierchaat or a tailor, aud
that, with the consent of the lessors or their snecess^)rs, and to such persons as
should keep the same "clean and in honest sort, without annoyance' to the
church or streate ;" and a further proviso, that it sliould be lawful fi)r the said
lessors and their successors, for the better stay and upholding of the said
wourk, to pitch, lay and put into the pynacle of the said church so many
corbetis,f as is or shall be necessary to make stay for the said wourk, without
annoyance or hurt to the gable or pynacle, or any of tliem."
;{: Articles of agreement indented, had, made and concluded the XXth daie-
of March, anno dni 1620, betwixt the maior, sherifs and comonaltie of the
citty of Corck, of the one ptc, and Dominick Roche, alderman, of Corck
aforesaiile of the other pte, before sir Geordge Sharly, knight, lord cheif jus-
" ItocUe MSS. t ^ic. J Ildd.
APPEM)1X.
ticc of bis matyes cheife jilaco in Ireland, ami sir W'illimi. Rives, kiiigUt, his
maties attuniey geuerall of Ireland, lord justices of assisses and gaul delivie,
within the county of the said citty, and with theire Ips ajiprobacioue, after
long debate thereof in the tollsie of the said citty, and with the allowaunce of
all the said corporacion.
In primis the said niaior, shorifs, and comonaltie of Corck doe covenant to
and with the s:^iid Dominick Roche, his executors and assignees, by theise
pntes, that the bye-lawe or tax, made the Xllth daie of August last, to con-
tinue for one year then next ensueiage, shal be established by a new by-lawe or
taxe, fov the tearme of twelve yeares more, and that for and during the said
twelve yeares, the said Dominick Roche, his executors and assignees shall and
may collect the said tax, to his and theire owne use and behoofe, without any
account thereof to be given to the said maior or corporation ; and that the
said maior for the time beinge, shall at all times, upon request unto him
made by the said Dominick Roche, -his executors tind assignees, yeald all
lawfuU ayde and assistanc to the said Dominick Roche, his executors and
assignees, for the leaving and raising of the said tax, to the sole use of the said
Dominick Roche, his executors and assignees, during the said twelve yeares ;
and that if within the said twelve years, any pestilence or plange shall happen
within the said citty or franchises thereof, or any warr shall arise, whereby
the said tax male become of less value than at this pnte, that then for so longe
tyme as duringe the said plauge or warr, the said Dominick Roche, his exe-
cutoi-s or assignees, shall yeald upp unto the hands of the maior of the said
citty for the tyme beinge of the said plauge or warr, the colleccion of the said
t^x, leave the same to the said maior, by reason of any such plauge or warr,
that he the said Dominick Roche, his executors and assignees shall after
th'end of the said twelve yeares, during the collection of the said tax, for so
much longer tyme by force of a by lawe to be made to that purpose, as shall
supplie the tyme for which the said Dominick, his executors or assignees shall
by reason of such plauge or warr, leave the same collection upon the hands
of the maior aforesaid, yt being the true intent of the pties, that the said
Dominick Roche, his executors and assigneesshould have for twelve full yeares,
the receipt of the said tax in a tyme of health and peace, when the nikutt and
inhabitaun of the said citty shal be well frequented.
Itm. the said Dominick Roche, for himself, his executors and assignees doth,
covenant and promise and graunt to and with the said maior, sherifs, and
comonaltie of the citty of Corck, tliat he the said Dominick Roclie, his exe-
cutors and assignees, shall and will within [ ]
of February next ensueing,bestow twohundred pounds sterling in the Ijuildinge
of a strong and [sufficient gate, qu ?] house, in and upon the north gate of the
said citty, the said building to be ordered andsurvayed by Walter Cuppinger,
esq, Edmond Martell, gent. John Greatrixes, and Henry Verdon, all of
this citty or [ ]
Itm. the said Dominick Roche, for himself, his executors and assignees doth
further covenant to and with the said maior, sherifs, and comonaltie of Corck,
287
288 CORK REMEMBRANCEll
that he the said Domiuick, his executors and assignees, shall and will witUiH
the space of six years, to be accounted from the Xllth of August next, in the
name of the said corporation, being thereunto aucthorized by their comon
seal, redeem the mortgadges in the schedule annexed, with the proper monye
of the said Dominick lloche, his executors or assignees, and that imcdiately
after the said six yeares and not before, the maior, sherifs and comonaltie,
shall have and receive to their own proper use the lands, tenements, and he-
riditaments so to redeemed, and until th'end of the six yeares, the said Domi-
nick Roche, to receive the j^rofits of the same, after such redemption.
Itm, the said Dominick Roche doth further covenant as aforesaid, that he
the said Dominick, his executors or assignees, shall and will within the space
often yeares, to be accounted from the twelve of August next, build at his and
their proper cost and charges, two sufKcient stone bridges in the said citty,
over the river wheare the timber bridges now are, the one at the north gate of
the said citty, and the other at the south gate of the said citty, with arches,
and a wall, and a battelmcnt on each side thereof, and also one sufficient
mkett house within the said citty, at such place as the maior and councell
of the said citty, shall by their publick ack of councell, appoint, the said
works to be ordered and survayed by the aforesaid survayors ; and it is fur-
ther agreede, that the justices of assisses for the tyme being, shall from tyme
totyme, as occasion shall require, appoint new survayors for the [ ]
of the said work, who shall acquaint the maior and sherifs for the tyme being,
with the proceedinge of [ ] work In witness whereof to the one
pte of this Indenture, remayinge with the said Dominick Roche, his execu-
ors and assignees, the said maior, sherifs, and comonaltie, have fixed their
comon seal, and to the other pte of this Indenture, remayninge with the said
maior, sherifs and comonaltie, the said Dominick Roche, hath put to his
hand and seal, the day and yeare first above written.
Andrew Skiddy, ISlayor of Cork.
(^Indorsed.) Henry Roberts, Vice-comes,
yigned. Sealed and delivered Richard R. R. Rouss,
in the presence of his mark, Sherrife of Cork.
Edwd. Harrys. Recorder.
Edmo. Tyrrye.
John Coppinger.
Daniel Tyrrye fitz-Stephen.
Annexed to the foregoing is the following.
A Schedule of" lands and hereditaments niortgadged by the maior and corpo-
ration of Cork to be redeemed.
1^. The fishing pooles wth Mr. Geordg Goold, John Coppinger,
alderman, and Wr. Edmond Morrogh of the said citty, mer-
chant, for the sonic of . . . . cc li.
APPENDIX. 289
«
y Tlio comijii liiiid, the two fayrs and the nikett [ ] a pipe
wvue of evie shippe or barge umler prisadge, .... 251) li.
^ The fees and dueties of the nikett barrell, and the foes and due-
ties of the waiter bailifs, wtl> Mr. John Coppiiiger, alder-
man, and with I\Ia\irice Roche, of the said citty mchant, for
the some of .... 120 li
^ The pric [Tauen qu?] wtli Henry Goold Fitz-Peeres, of the said
citty mchant, for the some of ....
^ The sellers or shopps under the toUsie, with Edward Roche Fitz-
Morris, for the some of ....
^ The mkett house wcU Stephen ?.Iiag'ies hidds by lease for the rent
XV li. pr ann and in mortgadge, for the some of ....
^ Itm upon the colledg to Walter Coppinger, .. .
^3- Itm upon pte of the same to Mr. John Coppinger ....
^ The rent reserved upon a paire of stayrs, and a backside ne.\t to
the county coart, with Morris Roch, f )r X li. or XII li.
H Itm upon the tower which Ednioud Poiinch holdeth, .... 15 li
M. That the eight day of August. 1627, Dominick Roche, alderman, appeared
before us in the toUsell, and delivered sufficient discharges of all the mortgages
contained in this sccdle according the ane.xed co.venants to that effecte.
Witness or hands,
WiLLu HoRE, Maior. John .Meade, recorder.
John Coppinger, John Cjould, vie.
James Coppinger. [ ] TvuiiYE.
50 li
80 li
.80 li
SO li
50 li
ABSTRACT OF A DOCUMENT AMONGST THE ROCHE MSS,
At White-hall, 21th Nov. Ib30.
Present.
Lo: Chamberl; Lo: Vise: Grandison,
Lo: Vise: Dorchester, Mr. Vice Chamberl:
Mr. Secretary Cooke.
Wheres a petition was presented to his majesty, on behalf of the mavor,
sheriffs and commonalty of the city of Cork, for the renewing of their Charter,
with addition of some privileges by way of articles anuc.\cd, which was referred
290 CORK REMEMBRANCER
*
to the Lords Committees for Irish affairs, who referred same to Mr. Justice
Jones, and he returned his opinion thereon, and two of said articles concerning
customs the Lords Committees referred to the officers of the customs in London,
who returned their opinion thereon ; this day their lordships ordered that in
^(^gard said city should discharge his Majesty of £2000 or thereabouts, laid out
by the direction of the Privy Council, for relief of part of the soldiers and
officers of the army arriving at Cork and K-insale from the voyage of Gales,
for which there was delivered to the corporation bills of repayment from his
majesty by the then lord president of Mounster and by the officers and com-
manders of said army, which bills they are to deliver up to the Attorney-
general to be cancelled, that his majesty should he moved to grant a warrant
to the Attorney-general to prepare a bill for his majesty's signature, to be
afterwards passed the great seal, for renewing and confirming their former
charters and the addition of the liberties in the articles following.
That whereas the whole city of Cork being the shiere city of the county of
Cork, containing only two small parishes, and there being four dissolved abbeys,
viz.j Gill abbey, St. Dominick's abbey, St Augustin's abbey, and St.
Francis's tibbey, with their possessions, lying within the ancient franchises and
liberties, where there are many merchants residing and the trade of merchan-
dize more used, than in a great part of said city ; that those abbeys, with their
jiossessioiis and inhabitants, may be withiu Uie jurisdiction and government of
the officers of the city, to the end they may be liable to contributions both for
his majesty's service and the pviblic chai-ge of the city, the rather for that
^nany of purpose dwell within the possessioii of those abbeys, to be free froni
sesse of soldiers and other public cha,rge.
That the sheriffs, who have usually accompted at Dublin for the revenues
payable to his majesty, may accoinpt at Cork, in regard Cork is near 100 miles
from Dublin.
That, whereas they have power to determine felonies within the city and
liberties, by grant from Elizabeth, they may have like power so far as the
county of the said city extends.
That all merchandize be landed at the common quay.
That they may have a staple for wool, fells , and other staple commodities
within the city, being appointed by act of Pa,rliament one of the staple cities,
as is granted to Youghal and Kinsale and many others in Ireland.
That if au.y escheator or other commissioner, execute any commission for
enquiry, the mayor or his deputy be joined, for that they are made escheators
by the charter of Elizabeth.
That no mercha,nt, stranger, or foreigner sell within the city or liberties,
but in grosse and to freemen only, except iu time of fairs, and except victuals.
That whereas the mayor and sheriffs are yearly elected and sworn at on©
and the same time, which by experience is found inconvenient; that the
days of their election may be altered to a time more convenient, and that they
may have power to incorporate such companies of artificers as shall be thought
lit for the good of the city.
APPENDIX.
That the mayor may be chief in all commissions of Gaol delivery within
the city and liberties.
That the corporation have power to appoint clerk of the crown, town clerk,
and public notary.
That for the ease and quiet of the inhabitants within the city and liberties,
they may have power to appoint six aldermen of their six wards, to determine
differences within their several wards under forty shillings
That they may have the petty customs within the city and liberties, towards
maintenance of the public charge, as granted to Youghal, same being never
any profit to his majesty, nor will be any hinderance hereafter to his majesty's
customs.
That whereas there are sundry pe^rsons taking upon them to minister physic
in said city and libeities, who have not been exiucate'd in any university, for
that approving of their learning and confirmsntioit of their judgments in matters
of so great consequence, tending to the no little eiidamagemewt of the health
of his majesty's subjects; that his majesty would grant that none shall minister
physic there without licence of the mayor of said city, except he have taken
fitting degi-ees in some university and those to be approved by the doctor or
physician allowed by said eity.
All which was ordered by the lords commitees, with this caution, that the
Lord High Treasurer of England, then absent, should be acquainted therewith)
and approve ; acconlingly he did sigiiify his a^jprobation by Mr. Secretary
Cooke.
Exor. WILLIAM BEECHER.
2<)1
To His Grace the Duke of Bolton, lord lieu'- genii- and genii,
g&vernr. of Ireland.*
The humble petition of the mayor, sherrifs and comonalty of his majtie'i
ioyal citty of Cork,
Shewethy
That the said citty of Cork is a very antient citty, a«d a' place of considera-
ble trade, and payes a very great revenue to his majtie.
That in the late king James'* time, your petrs suffer'd very much for their
adherence to the Protestant interest, were putt into prisons, and their suburbs,
which make a considerable part of the citty, were set on fire, and burnt to the
ground, by the then popish governr Makilicuddy, notwithstanding he had
before-hand agreed and promised to save the said suburbs, upon the payment
of a considerable sume of money to him.', by yoiu" petitioners.
• The original is in the possession of Edw.ird Hoare, Esq. and therefore seems not to
have been presented.
292 CORK REMEMBRANCER
»
That yniu* petitrs ;vcrc relieved from theii- prisons and their miseries, by king
William of glorious memory, under the command of your majt'e's renowned
and victorious general, his grace the duke of Marlborough, who besieged the
said citty, and took it in the year IGDO.
That soone after, your petitrs supi)Iyed severall regiamts of king William's
army with severall considerable sums of money for their subsistence, for which
your petifs never received any satisfaction, which has been a great loss to
your petrs , vvho have but a very small and precarious revenue for the support
of their corporation.
That the^ severall governrs of this kingdom, since the said siege, vipon
representations that the walls of the said citty were of noe strength or defence
against an army, were pleased to give liberty to open the same for gates, in
severall places.
That the tide ebs and flowes round the said citty, and the said walls, as they
now stand, are of noe defence, but a charge to your petrs, and that the ground
next without the said walls, as well as the ground on which the said walls
stand, belong to your petitioners.
May it please your grace, in consideration of the premisses, to grant your
petitioners the said walls.
And vour petltionrs will ever pray.
(Seal)
Abra. French, Mayr. Wm Hawkins, } r.,
r-i . i^ ,<■ 11 I ohers.
Chars Cottrell, J
Daniel Crone, E<hvard Hoarc, Sam. Wilson,
.Jos. Francklyu, Edw. Browne, Jno. Whiting,
E. Knapp, Wm. Lambley. Row. Delahoide,
Richard Phillips, Wm. Masters', Philips French.
Daniel Perdriau,
The following is the substance of a tract entitled, "A Ramble through
Bagdad, in a letter from Philologos to his friend." Printed in 1751.
Alluding to a supposed meeting of the leaders of the Friendly Club, the writer
says, " Yonder's a group of figures, by appearance men, but by their actions
and their passions rather monsters transformed to human shape." He then
enumerates, under fictitious names, the individuals supposed to be present.
Fortunately the copy before us contains their real names in manuscript
in the margin. The first is Thomas Bonsfield, a prime leader of the party,
distinguished by his zeal and readiness to incur large pecuniary sacrifices for
its support, and remarkable for hi's gravity; he is styled Saturn, importing pro-
bably that he was the father or founder of the club. Robert Traverse, a man
of gay propensities, is styled Bacchus. Adam Newman, an impetuous and
fiery man, with an impediment in his speech, is called Aran Hothead. Robert
W^rixon is called Simon Foolspate ; his characteristic is oddly expressed to
be "apreambulation to influence." Francis C'arleton, notcdfor Jiis 'grandeur,'
APPENDIX. 293
which we take to mean pomposity, is styled Scapin Lofty. The lust is
William Owgan of oratorical propensities, styled Orator Club.
Bousfield begins the conference by remarking the difficulty with which
they had just gained "one point,"* and starting the question of the coming
struggle. Travers replied despondingly of their late small majority, after an
expense of £1000; the high bribes required by their friends, and consequent
expeusiveness of the approaching contest, and the probability of failure after
all. Newman upbraided him for his discouraging language, suggested the
practicability of getting subscriptions from many persons anxious to share the
power which success confers, as well as from those who had obtained their
freedom of the city by favour without right, and concluded with an allusion
to an extreme measure, in case they should be worsted, namely, by some
means not stated, to raise the revenues of the city from £600 to £1100 per
annum, so that if they could fix it at that amount for seven years, it would
be good security to raise some thousands on," "then" said he "we might ma^e
one grand push, fix our frieiid, atid enslave the city for ever."
Owgan seconded Newman's proposal to persevere ; he expressed approval
also of the plan for advancing tlyj reveiTlie ; said that he knew how to gloss the
matter, so that it might seem to be for the city's good ; that there was but
one man of any weight to oppose it (^sir Richard Cox, bart.) and that he
could be easily silenced by noise.
Carleton agreed with Travers that Mr. Newenham was so powerfully
assisted, that it was better make a virtue of necessity, abandon oppositioa
with a good grace, and so spare their purses. Bousfield replied with great
indignation, taunting Carleton with his lukewarmness, and his having al-
lowed his subscription to run into arrear, and intimating that if he should act
thus coldly, he might return to the state from which they raised him,f that
rather than lose the power they had held, he would himself throw "down to
the general cause £500, j and that they should all subscribe in proportion. He
approved of the scheme for raising the revenue, and put a question to Wrixoii
as to the effect of the last sum put into his hand for purposes of bribery.
Wrixon said that he had many promises, but a further supply of money was
expected ; besides that several of the smaller city officers, who were expected
to vote as they were ordered, had been turned off for dereliction, and more
were expected to follow.
Newman replied with fury that all such persons should be turned off. Tra-
vers concurred in the great importance of adhering closely to that course, as
• The late election for magistrates.
t It is subjoined in a note, that Carleton (whether being thought of too little conse-
quence to take into the closest cabals of the Friendly Club, and on that account dis-
gusted, or really disliking their unjust proceedings,) gave but very sliglit attendance,
and on a late emergency paid off several year's arrears.
J It is subjoined in a note that it was reported that Bousfield had actually offered that
sum to prevent a revolution in the party.
B 1
294 CORK REMEMBRANCER
their "main sjiring." Bousfield then adverted to an unfortunate letter
written by a friend, on which they had relied as a bait to be swallowed by
their enemies, but which became public and had exposed them to obloquy and
ridicule.* Newman also regretted the publicity given to the letter ; we have
said he, reigned a longtime ; a powerful interest is now likely to turn us out,
and could we have slipped out in the manner I proposed, it would he a double
advantage to us.f Bousfield assented, and remarked that the possession of the
whole revenue, an advantage not possessed by their opponents, would even-
tually have restored them to power again.
Newman then suggested that they should all disclaim having authorized
the writing of the letter, in which he was supported by Bousfield,
We are next introduced to a Quaker's meeting-hovise. Abraham Fuller,
(by the name of Obadiah Henpock) after some general remarks on the coming
election, insinuated that some of those present had been swayed by filthy
lucre. Peter Cambridge, a little man (designated as Jacob Frisk) taking it to -
himself, hereupon bounced off his seat and protested that he would do as he
pleased. Fuller took advantage of this seeming admission to reproach him
for his conduct in espousing the cause of Mr. Cavendish, without considering
the merits of Mr. Newenham, or whether he could be supported by the body
*In a note the author saj's, that this was a letter by a friend of those good pati-iots to the
Spealier, (a man of great power, interest and worth whom they both fear and hate) pro-
mising that in case he would suffer Mr. Cavendish quietly to come in without opposi-
tion, they would for ever after make over all their interest in the city, upon all occa-
sions, not only to him, but to the house of Castle Martyr.
We subjoin in this place the following letter written by Henry Boyle, afterwards lord
Shannon, to Sir Blauricc Crosby.
Dear Sir Maurice, Custlemartijr, June •2Q, 175J.
1 return you my most sincere thanks as well for your last, as for all former favours .
If I had heard of either freemen or freeholders who had interest in the city of Cork, and
resident of your county, I should not have been so wanting to myself, as not to have ap-
plied to you earlier for it. All my friends are sanguine in support of Mr. Newenham,
and I am doing all I can for the little time 1 have yet myself to it, in his and their fa-
vour, for I have ever determined with myself, never to forego old friendship, be the conse-
quence of it as it may. Mr. Cavendish's friends have been busie in his interest three
or four years past, of which he did not think it worth his while to apprize me, till he
desired my support by letter from Dublin the day I went to Cork, bj' which I find his
scheme was to steal a march on me. Dilkes, and many otliers are just going from hence
to vote for a Common Speaker to-uiorrow ; the election for magistrates comes on next
Jlonday. The Colonel will dispatch this to you by express from thence, who will travel
all night and lose no time in hopes your friends may be up with them by Monday at
noon, which I earnestly wish they may, and am, dear Sir Blaurice,"
Your ever aflfectionate,
The more learned inform me Mr. Newenham will succeed. HENRY BOYLE"
t Respecting the augmented revenue be observed, " and for paying anything out ot it, I
would have engaged to keep that clear," which a note explains thus, "by making or rather
attempting to make the mercliant pay custom for every thing the letter of the act specifies,
(some of which now passes free,) and as they certainly would refuse it, 'twould cause
matter sufficient for grounding a law-suit and detaining all rent" — qu ? what rent ?
APPENDIX. 295
oTTiuends in following a party iiithe city, busying himself in their affairs, run-
ning into their cabals, and tittering upon any little success they meet with, the
more ridiculously, as he had no vote to help them. He condemned him for ex-
torting a promise from their sexton, Joseph Hoare, (styled Joseph Selfwill,
and called a silly fellow, easily cajoled) to vote according to his direction.
Cambridge is represented as avowing his support for Cavendish, his prevailing
on Hoare for his vote, and glorying in both. George Randle, (called Zebede
Solus) apologized for Cambridge, on the plea of his want of judgment. Fuller
rejoined with a sneer at the gaiety of Handle's dress. Randle then recom-
mended that they should act with unanimity, so as to give the body of Friends
some force, and spoke against Cavendish, as he was supported by a party, many
of whom had been their bitter enemies. "I have" said he " no shop to mind, or
house to care for ; but you who have both can say, your doors have been
nailed up, and windows maliciously broke, and could lay your fingers on some
■who, now forgetting or hoping you have forgot all their malice, can beg a
favour of you." He recommended Mr. Newenham as a youth of mildness and
humility, easy of address, though great in fortune, and said that he was joined
by their old great friend, (the speaker.)
William Sleigh (called Zacharia Worthless) declared he must support Mr.
Cavendish, though he had no reason to give for so doing. Richard Brocklesby
(called John Wildfire) thought such conduct very unaccountable. Randle,
sneering, spoke of old obligations, which Sleigh was under to one or two of
Mr. Cavendish's intimates. Richard Siuderbee (called Caleb Prim) for
himself avowed, that he had received assistance in the way of his business
from some of Mr. Cavendish's intimates, but requested advice. Fuller said he
spoke like a wise young man, and exhorted him to shun Sleigh's bad example ;
this he agreed to. John Newsom (called Jonas Heedless) acknowledged haying
engaged to a distant friend of his not to vote against Mr. Cavendish, and there-
fore hoped he might be allowed to stand neuter. Brocklesby reproached him
for having (a man of sense and cunning as he was) thus sacrificed their general
welfare to his private interest, and thought, that as he could do nothing for
them in person, he should be deputed to their friend Thomas Beale, (called
Plodder) in the country, to work on him for good, though he feared he,
(Beale,) was bound in Sleigh's chain. Fuller, then observing that Anthony
Deaves (styled Somnus) was asleep, desired that some kind friend would un-
dertake to inform him of what they had been doing, and that others should be
appointed to talk with Joseph Hoare about his unworthy doings.
We are then introduced to a very dull interview between the candidates,
in which " the little gentleman," as the writer styles Mr. Newenham, charges
his competitor with sitting and hearing damnation drunk to him and all his
friends on the night of the election day at the public entertainment; to which
Mr. Cavendish replied, that his friends were so kind and spent so much mo-
ney to carry his point free of expense to him, while he himself could so little
spare any, that ho could not help winking at their toasts.
Then the writer takes us into a porter house " to observe the behaviour of
296 CORK REMEMBRANCER
some of the lower people ;" here we find a pot, pipes and tobacco served to the
visitors. The violence of the debate is first remarked, though there was only
one man on Mr. Newenham's side; this was John Lane, "Mr. Newenham's
orator" (styled Henly) " a pretty warm man," who spared none.
One of the company, Robert Johnson, (styled Robin Pedlar) is described
as a short fresh colour man, with round shoulders, as though nature had form-
ed them for the support of what they had been accustomed to bear.
Lane abused the company, and then addressing himself to Johnson and
John Connor (styled Jack Hostler) remarked, what a pretty figure they cut
the other day in helping out a cavalcade, looking like sheriiFs bailiffs, or his
worship's livery men, standing aloof, and ready to take an errand from any
fool who should send them. This probably meant that they were ashamed of
their side.
He then taunted the company with supporting an English man. " Ah but"
said Stephen D (styled Stephen Topgallant) "our friend can serve us
in a particular way." This, Lane interpreted as bribery, and proceeded in his
tirade, and then asked John Baily (styled the great Hurlothrumbo) how long
he had been thought of consequence sufficient to entitle him to a scat even in
that company. The reply is unintelligible to us ; Baily said, "dont you know I
am chaplain to the renowned independent body of true blues, as well as ordi-
nary of Newgate," and do you think I should have beeir advanced to one but
for my well knoivn valour, or have obtained the other, but for my pious
charitable disposition. To this Lane replied, your valour is certainly great,
if we may credit your own narrative of the C s, and your pious, charitable
disposition undoubtedly is equal to it, witness your wooden spoon for Alex-
ander the coppersmith sent him twenty years ago. I remember a motto of
that same Alexander's, Quern Jupiter vult perdere 2}rius dementat; "when
a mansetsupforateachei', he should first renounce the K e." Then follows
abuse full of allusions apparently to Baily's private character. After which.
Lane besought the company to consider what they were about. " Dont," said
he, "be governed by men who court you only for your votes, which when given
they'll reject, and perhaps despise you for so doing. Think of yoiu" country and
your liberties ; think of your city and your interests; tiiink of your honour
and engagements." The other members of this company were, Daniel Culli-
more (styled Toby Slim,) and William Busteed (styled Wouldbe Cailitf).
After Lane had withdrawn, the rest of the company commenced a conversation
on some other election squibs lately published; one of them was entitled "The
Vision;" another in answer to it, styled "A Friendly Caution," insinuates
that the writer was sir Richard Cox, bart; but our tract denies this; calls him a
gentleman of understanding, fortune and worth, one who gives general content
in his public office; and tells us that sir Richard coming to the city a stranger,
and not knowing the private base administration of our government, submitted
himself in complaisance to some acquaintance to be a member of that club,
where he continued for some time, but at length finding out their unworthy
actions, he quitted them as did many beside. Then it notices a tract entitled
APPENDIX.
297
a dialogue between J k L c and S — m— n C — rt — n, describing the
dangerous state our kingdom was in of being swallowed up by the interest of
another, and proceeds : " Few know the danger, many don't think at all
about it ; yet its' so apparent, that were half the towns in Ireland to pursue
the steps of many people here, (and should success attend such pursuit) in a
few years we should have no money— lose all our trade ; and our country
he quite undone.''
Then comes a notice of a tract entitled, "Advice to Mr. G, H — rr— s — n,
printer." Our author insinuates that it is the production of a quaker, and
remarks, that it acknowledges unworthy divisions in the city ; " I wish,"
continues he, " he had told us where they were founded, and how supported.
I should be glad some worthy patriot would give us the rise and progress of
that Friendly club, where these sad divisions have shot out and taken such
monstrous root."
THE BISHOPS OF THE DIOCESES OF CORK, CLOYNE,
AND ROSS.
Bishops of Cork.
St. Barr or Finbarwas the first bi-
shop, he flourished anno G30. Of his
successors, until the arrival of the
English we have but imperfect ac-
counts.
The following are mentioned by his-
torians. <>
St. Nessan, whose death Colgan
mentions to have been in the year 551
if this be the case he could not have
been a pupil of St. Barr, (as he was
said to have been) or else St. Barr
must have lived much earlier.
Russin, died in C85.
Selbac, died in 773.
Cathmogan, died in 961.
Columba MacCiarucain, died in 990.
Cella(Jh 0 Selbac, died during a
pilgrimage in 1026.
Neil O'AIailduib, died in 1027.
Airlri Sairt, died in 1028,
Cathal, died in 1034.
Mugvon O'Mutan, was murdered by
robbers in 1057.
Clerech O'Selbaic, died in 1086.
Maclothod O'Hailgerem, died in
1107.
Patrick O'Selbac, died in 1111.
The see of Cork was vacant about
the year 1140, and then a certain
poor man, a foreigner, was nominated
by Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh;
his name is not however meutioued.
298
CORK REMEMBRANCER
Gilla /Ella O'Mugin, sat in 1152;
from him Gillabbey derived its name.
Gregorv, succeeded in 1172, and
died in 1186.
Reginald, time of his succession
unknown.
O'Selbaic, died in 1205.
Geofry White, was vipon the death
of the former recommended to this
see, by king Henry 3rd, about the
year 1215 ; but it does not appear
whether he was ever consecrated or
not.
Maurice, or Marian O'Brien, was
translated from the see of Cork to
Cashel, in 1224.
Gilbert, archdeacon of Cork, con-
secrated in 1225, and died in 1238.
Laiu-ence, died in 1264.
William of Jerepont in the county
Kilkenny, a Cistercian monk, suc-
ceeded in 1266.
Reginald, treasurer of Cashel, suc-
ceeded in 1267, and died in 1276.
Robert, or Richard Donough, a
Cistercian monk, succeeded in 1277,
and died in 1301.
John Mac Carwill, or O'Carroll,
dean of r,ork, succeeded in 1302, re-
signed in 1321, having been trans-
lated to Cashel.
Philip de Slane, a Dominican friar,
succeeded in 1321, and died in 1326.
John le Blond, dean of Cloyne,
was elected in 1326, but it is unknown
whether he was consecrated or not,
he died in 1327.
Walter le Rede, or Rufus, canon
of the Cathedral of Cork, succeeded
in 1327, and was translated to Cashel
in 1330.
John dc Balyconingham, succeeded
in 1030, and died in 1347.
John de Rupe, or Roche, cantrii
of the Cathedral of Cork, succeeded
in 1347, and died in 1358.
Gerald de Barry, dean of Cork,
succeeded in 1359, and died in 1393.
Roger Elesmere, succeeded in
1396, and died in 1406.
Gerald, succeeded in 1106.
Patrick Ragged, sat in 1415, and
was translated to Ossory in 1417.
Miles Fitz-John, succeeded in 1418
and died in 1430.
BishojJS of Coi'k and Cloyne.
Upon the death of Miles Fitz-John
in 1420, the custody of the see of
Cork was for a time committed to
Nicholas, bishop of Ardfert, and
Richard Scurlagarchdeacon of Cork;
but before the close of the year 1.340,
Jordan, chancellor of Limerick, was
by Pope Martin 5th advanced to the
bishopricks of Cork and Cloyne; both
of which being then vacant, were
canonically united.
Gerald Fitzgerald, succeeded, and
died in 1479.
William Roche, succeeded in 1479
and resigned in 1490.
Gerald, succeeded, and resigned in
1499.
John Fitz-Edmond Fitzgerald, was
provided by the Pope in 1499.
John Bennett, or Ferrett, died in
1536.
Dominick Terrcy, rector of the
church of Shandon, was elected by
command of king Henry VllI inl536,
and died in 1556 ; while he sat Lowis
Mac Nemarawas provided bishop by
Pope Paul 111 in 1540, and Mac
Nemara dying soon after at Rome,
John Hoyeden was provided successor
by the same Pope the same year ;
yet Tirrey who hud been appoint#tl
APPENDIX,
299
by Henry tlie VIII, received the
fruits of the see, until his death.
Roger Skiddy, dean of Limerick,
succeeded in 1557, and resigned in
1566, after which these sees were va-
cant four years.
Richard Dixon, succeeded in 1570,
and was deprived iu 1571.
Matthew Sheyn, succeeded in 1572
and died iu 1582.
BisJiOjis of Cork, Clotjne and Ross.
William Lyon, bishop of Ross, suc-
ceeded in 1583, and held the three
sees of Cork, Cloyne and Ross until
his death, which happened in 1617 ;
the sees having been united by letters
patent of Queen Elizabeth the 17tli
of iMarch 1586.
John Boyle, succeeded in 1618
and died iu 1620.
Richard Boyle, dean of Water-
ford, succeeded in 1620, and was
translated to Tuam iu 1638.
William Chappel, provost of Tri-
nity College, succeeded in 1638, and
died in 1663.
Michael Boyle, dean of Cloyne,
succeeded upon the restoration of
king Charles the second in 1660, and
was translated to Dublin in 1 C63.
Edward Synge, succeeded in1C63,
and died in 1678 ; upon his death the
see of Cloyne was separated from
Cork and Ross.
Bishops of Cork and Ross.
Edward Wettenhall, succeeded to
the sees of Cork and Ross in 1678,
and was translated to KiLnore and
Ardagh in 1699.
Dive Downes, succeeded in 1699,
and died in 1709.
Peter Brown, provost of Trinity
College, Dublin, succeeded in 17U9,
and died iu 1735.
Robert Clayton, bishop of Killala,
succeeded in 1735, and was trans-
lated from hence to Clogher,
Jemmet Brown, translated from
Killala in 1745, and from hence to
Elphin in 1772.
Isaac Mann, succeeded in 1772.
Euseby Cleaver, succeeded in 1789.
William Foster, succeeded in 1789.
William Bennett, succeeded in
1790.
Hon. Thomas Stopford, succeeded
iu 1794.
Lord John G. Beresford, succeeded
in 1805.
Hon. Thomas St. Lawrence, suc-
ceeded in 1807.
Samuel Kyle, succeeded in 1831;
and iu 1835, the see of Cloyne having
become vacant, it was united to Cork
and Ross, under the provisions of the
church temporalities act.
Bishops of Cloyne.
St. Colman, the son of Lenin,
a pupil of St. Fin-barr's, bishop of
Cork, was the first bishop of Cloyne,
and founder of the cathedral ; he
flourished in the sixth century and
died the 4th Nov. 604 ; from his
death until the arrival of the English,
there is but little account of this see.
O'Malvain, died in 1094.
Nehemiah O'Morierlack, died in
1119.
Mathew was bishop here at the
arrival of the English and died in
1192.
Laurence O'Sullivan, died in 1204.
300
CORK REMEMBRANCER
Daniel, died in 1222.
Florence was elected, and obtained
the royal assent, the 25th of August,
1224, but on the 3d of Feb. fullovving,
the custody of the temporals was
committed to Marian, archbishop of
Cashel.
Patrick, a Cistercian monk, obtain-
ed the royal assent in 1226.
David Mac Kelley, dean of Cashel,
succeeded, and was translated to
Cashel in 1237.
Alan O'Sullivan, of the order of
Predicants, was consecrated in 1240,
and eight years after, was translated
to Lismore.
Daniel, a Franciscan friar, was
consecrated in 1249, and died in the
beginning of the year 1'2G1 ; the king
granted licence of election to I lie dean
and chapter the 2d of June following.
Reginald, bishop of Down, was
translated to Cloyne in 1265 ; he died
in 1273.
Alan O'Lonergan, succeeded, and
died in 1283.
Nicholas de Effingham, succeeded,
and died in 1320.
Maurice O'Tolohan, archdeacon of
Cloyne, died in 1334.
John de Cumba, a Cistercian monk,
appointed by the Pope, succeeded in
1335.
John Brid; it is uncertain how long
he sat.
John Whitock, dean of Cloyne,
succeeded in 1351, and died in I3G1.
John de Swatham, a Carmelite
friar, appointed by pope Gregory XI,
was consecrated in 13G8, and was
translated to Bangor, in 1376.
Richard Wye, appointed by the
same pope, succeeded in 1376, and
was for certain misdemeanors excom-
municated, and afterwards deprived
in 1394, but notwitlistanding having
continued to act as bishop, he was the
next year apprehended at Waterford,
by conuiiand of king Richard II, and
committed to tlie custody of the arch-
bishop of Cashel.
Gerald Canton, an Augustin her-
mit, succeeded, and died in 1407.
Adam Pay, succeeded; he endea-
voured to unite the see of Cork to
Cloyne : he died in 1430.
Jordan, chancellor of Limerick,
succeeded, and the see of Cork being
then also vacant was united to that
of Cloyne, and continued so for 200
years, until the appointment of
George Synge, who succeeded in
1638, and died in lG53.
From the death of Synge the see
of Cloyne continued vacant until the
restoration of Charles II, when Dr.
Michael Boyle was advanced to it,
and held it, together with Cork and
Ross.
Edward Synge, succeeded, upon
whose death in 1678, the see of Cloyife
w'as again separated from Cork& Ross.
Patrick Sheridan, succeeded in
1679, and died in 1682.
Edward Jones, succeeded in 1682,
and was translated to St. Asaph in
Wales, in 1G92.
William Palliser, succeeded in
1692, resigned in 1694, being transla-
ted to Cashel.
Tobias Pnllen, succeeded in 1694,
and the following year was translated
to Dromore.
St. George Ash, D.D. succeeded in
1695, and in 1697 was translated to
Clogher.
John Pooley, succeeded in 1697,
and resigned in 1702, being translated
to Raphoe.
Charles Crow, D.D. succeeded ia
1702, and died in 1726.
APPENDIX.
301
Henry Maule, L.L.D. succeeded,
and in 1731 was translated to
Droiuore.
Edward Synge, succeeded in 1731,
and in 1733 was translated to Leighlin
and Ferns.
George Berkeley, D. D. dean of
Derry, succeeded in 1733.
James Stopford, succeeded in 1753.
Robert Johnson, succeeded in
1759.
Honorable Frederick Hervey, suc-
ceeded in 1767, and was translated
to Derry in 1768.
Charles Agar, dean of Kilmore,
succeeded in 17G8, and was translated
to Cashelin 1780.
George Chinnery, bishop ofKiUaloe,
succeeded in 1780
Maurice, succeeded, and died in
11%.
Daniel, a secular priest, by com-
mand of Pope Celestin, consecrated
at Rome in 1197.
Florence, a monk, being elected
bishop, went to Rome and acquainted
Pope Innocent III. with his prede-
cessor Daniel's having been unlaw-
fully elected, and upon his return
home was consecrated by his Metro-
politan ; he died in 1222.
Robert, by some called Richard,
succeeded, and was seated here in
1225,
Florence, or Finin O'Cloghena, re-
signed in 1252.
Maurice, chantor of Cloyne, suc-
ceeded in 1253, and resigned in 12G9,
and became a friar minorite.
Richard Woodward, dean of Clogh-
er succeeded in 1781.
William Bennett, succeeded in
1794.
Charles Mongan Warbtu'ton, suc-
ceeded in 1820.
John Brinkley, succeeded in 1826
and died in 1835, when the see of
Cloyne was attached to Cork and
Ross, under the provisions of the
church temporalities act.
Bishops of Ross.
St. Fachnan, first bishop of Ross,
and founder of the Cathedral there ;
he flourished in the beginning of the
sixth century.
St. Finchad, one of the disciples of
St. Barr, and brought up in his
school at Lough Eire, succeeded, but
of him or his successors there is no
further account, until the arrival
of the English.
Benedict, seated here in 1172,
Walter O'Michthain, a minorite,
succeeded in 1269, and died in 1274.
Peter O'HuUecan, or Halchan, a
Cistersian monk, consecrated in 1275,
and died in 1290.
Laurence, canon of Ross, succeed-
ed, and died in 1309.
Matthew O'Fin, an abbot, was,
upon license of election granted to
the Dean and Chapter by Edward
II. elected iu 1310, and died in 1330.
Laurence O'Holdecan, or O'Hul-
lucan, elected in 1331, and died in
1335.
Denis, was consecrated in 1336'
Bernard O'Connor, a minorite,
provided by the Pope, succeeded ia
1378.
Stephen Brown, a Carmelite, pro-
vided by Pope Boniface IX, suc-
ceeded in 1402.
Mathew, died about the year 1418.
302
CORK REMEMBRANCER
Walt-er Fonriay, a minorite, provided
Iiv Pope Martin V, succeeded in
1418.
Thady, was seated here in 1488.
Odo, succeeded in 1489, and died
in 1494.
Edmund de Courcy, a minorite,
bishop of Clogher, translated to this
see in 1494.
John Imurily, first a Cistercian
monk, and afterwards abbot of Maur,
succeeded, and died in 1519.
Bonaventurc, a Spaniard, was seat-
ed here in 1523.
Dermot Mac l^omnuil, was seated
herein 1544, and died in 1552; he
probably resigned before his death,
as one John, ajipears to have been
appointed in 1551.
Thomas O'Herlihy, was present at
the Council of Trent in I5G3 ; he re-
signed in 1570, and died in 1579,
for bis successor's see bishop of Cork
and Cloyne, to which the diocese of
Ross was then united.
DEANS OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH, ST. FINN BARR'S,
CORK.
1G27 George Lee, dean at this time
1630 John Fitzgerald, dean at this
time.
1642 Edward Worth
16(32 Roger Boyle
]6u7 John Vesy
1673 Arthur Pomeroy
I7l0 Rowland Davies
1722 Robert Carlton
1735 William Meade
1763 George Chinnery, L.L.D.
1780 John Erskine
1790 Hon. T. St. Laurence, L.L.D.
1807 John Leslie.
1812 James Saurin
1813 William Magee, D. D.
1820 Robert Burrowes, D.D.
ARCHDEACONS OF THE DIOCESE OF CORK.
1561 Patrick Roche, archdeacon
this time.
1611 Martin Tenley
1665 Bernard Packington
1674 Richard Synge,
1688 Richard Lapp.
1692 Waller Neale.
1697 -John WetenhaU
1717 John Pomeroy.
1725 Thomas Russel
1745 William Reader
1774 William Jephsou
1782 John Forsayeth
1785 Robert Austin
1794 John Whitham
1796 Alexander Lamelliere
1801 William Thompson
1833 Samuel Moore Kyle
APPENDIX.
303
DEANS OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. COLMAN'S,
CLOYNE.
1G6I Henry Rugge
1G71 William Fitzgerald
1695 Henry ScarJeville
1704 Thomas Deane
1714 Robert Cosse
1714 Thomas Simcockes
1718 Josiah Hort
1720 Henry Maule
172G Jamos Ward
1736 Isaai; Goldsmith
1769 William Pratt
1769 Eyton Butts
1780 John Hewitt
1804i James A. Hamilton
1816 Alexander Arbuthnot
1823 Thomas John Burgh
VICARS GENERAL OF THE DIOCESE OF CLOYNE.
1666 Francis Synge
1680 Rowland Davies;
1709 Walter Atkin.
1740 Robert Berkeley
1787 Arthur Browne.
1794 James Hiugston»
CHIEF MAGISTRATES OF THE CITY OF CORK,
1199 John Dispenser
1236 Vy alter Eynoff
1272
1273
1274
1279
1281
1285
1287
1290
1291
1293
1310
1311
1312
1313
1314
1315
1316
1317
Provosts.
1249 Eliah Stackpole
1251 John Wenchedon
1252 Walter Wright
Richard Morren
Richard Wine
Richard Lee
Walter Tai-d iff
Walter Rute
Peter Russel
William Pollard
Walter Tardiff
Walter O' Hey n
John Lavallen
John Walters
W^illiam Bond
Nich de la Weily
William Hadvivre
Walter de Kerdiff
Nicholas O'Heyne
John de Ligre
Nich. do la Weily
1318
13l{>.
1220
1321
1322
1323
1324
1325
1326
1327
1328
1329
1330
1.331
1332
1333
1334
1335
Mayors.
Adam Milksbury
Stephen Coppenger
Richard Delahoid
Abrah. de Stackpole
Walter Relsch
Gilbert Monk
John le Dispenser
Richard Morraine
Edw do Tailoirr
Roger Tryal
Roger le Blon
William Albus
Nich. Morraine
Richard Postwind
Richard Leleigh
Richard Leleigh
Robert Lebolout
Bcrd, dc Rlontibus
1335
1337
1338
1339
1310
1311
1312
1343
1344
1345
1346
1317
1348
1349
1350
1351
1.352
1353
John Wedlock
John d'Espencer
John de Bristol
John Fitz-Abraham
David de Montibus
Peter Rashall
Elias de Stackpole
W'alter Rcisch
William Pollard
William Pollard
Walter de KerdilF
William O'Heyuo
John Wallen
Wm.de Wandespar
Walter de Kerdiff
Nicholas O'Heyne
Nich. Delahoydc
Walter dc Kerdiff
304
CORK REMEMBRANCER
1354
1355
1356
1357
1358
1359
1360
1361
1362
1363
1364
1365
1366
1367
1368
1369
1370
1371
1372
1373
1374
1375
1376
1377
1778
1379
1380
1381
1382
1383
1384
1385
1386
1387
1388
1389
1390
1391
1392
1393
1394
1395
139G
1397
Perceval Vincent
John Gallenger
Walter do KerdifF
John Gallenger
Adam Ruth
Walter de Kerdiff
Perceval Vincent
Perceval Vincent
William Drooper
Adam Ruth
William Skiddy
William Skiddy
Perceval Vincent
William Skiddy
Jordan Kerdiff
William Drooper
John Leblown
John Leblown
Thomas Thish
William Drooper
William Downane
Thomas Thish
William Drooper
William Downane
Thomas Thish
David Miagh
John Lombard
David Miagh
Robert Drooper
John Mynne
John Mynjie
John Mynne
Robert Drooper
John Malby
John Malby
John Lombard
William Polrnt
Redm. Kerrick
Andrew Stackpole
Redm. Kerrick
Robert Flcmming
John Warriner
Thomas Honybcard
Thomas Burdcvs
1398
1399
1400
1401
1402
1403
1404
1405
1406
1407
1408
1409
1410
1411
1412
1413
1414
1415
1416
1417
1418
1419
1420
1421
1422
1423
1424
1425
1120
1427
1428
1429
1430
1431
1432
1433
1434
1435
1436
1437
1438
1439
1440
1441
Mayors.
John Warriner
John Mainen
John Knap
Richard Lavallen
William Siighin
John Benefiat
John Skiddy
John Lignce
William Sughin
John Wright
William Sughin
Thomas Morton
John Warner
Thomas Murrough
Thos. Mordonton
Patrick Rice
Thomas Mollenton
Robert Gardiner
Robert Gardiner
Robert (iardiner
Robert Gardiner
Thos. Mollenton
Thos. Mollenton
Robert Borderner
Thomas Mollenton
Pierce Drooper
Robert (Jardiner
David Landebrook
(iedlYry White
David Landebrook
Edward Dantz
God fry Waile
Geoff. Gallaway
William Anasey
William Anasey
John Menia
Geoff. White
John IMurrough
Godfry Gallaway
John Murrough
John Skiddy
John Skiddy
John Meagh
John Murrough
1442 William Gold
1443 William Gold
1444 John Murrough
1445 John Gold
1446 Richard Skiddy
1447 John Gold
1448 Patrick Gallaway
1449 John Gallaway
1450 Richard Skiddy
1451 John Gold
1452 Richard Skiddy
1453 William Gallaway
1454 William Skiddy
1455 Richard Lavallen
1456 William Gallaway
1457 Richard Skiddy
1458 William Skiddy
1459 Patrick Gallaway
1460 Thomas Murrough
1461 Richard Skiddy
1462 John Gallaway
1463 William Gold
1464 John Gold
1465 John Skiddy
1466 Richard Skiddy
1467 John Meagh
1468 Godfry Naiole
1469 John Mezca
1570 Richard Skiddy
1471 John Gallaway
1472 William Gallaway
1473 Thomas Murrough
1474 William Skiddy
1475 Richard Lavallen
1476 John Gallaway
1477 William Gallaway
1478 Richard Skiddy
1479 William Skiddy
1480 William Skiddy
1481 William Gallaway
1482 Richard Gallaway
1483 William Gallaway
1484 William Skiddy
1485 Patrick Gallawav
APPENDIX.
Mayors.
1486 William Gallaway
1528
John Skiddy
1570 John Meagh
1487 William Skiddy
1529
Patrick Terry
1571 Maurice Roche
1488 Maurice Roche
1530
Edmund Roche
1572 Stephen Coppinger
1489 William Gallaway
1531
Richard Gold
1573 John Walters
1490 John Walters
1532
Patrick Gallaway
1574 William Terry
1491 Maurice Roche
1533
David Roche
1575 James Ronayne
1492 John Lavallcn
1534
James Gold
1576 William Roche
1493 William Gold
1535
Wm. Coppinger
1577 John Gold
1494 John Walters
1536
Robert Meagh
1578 Walter Gallaway
1495 Thomas Coppingei
• 1537
Thomas Ronayne
1579 Maurice Roche
1496 John Lavallin
1538 William Terry
1580 Thomas Sarsfield
1497 Maurice Roche
1539
James Roche
1581 Christ Walters
1498 John Lavallin
1540
Richard Terry
1582 Patrick Gallaway
1499 John Walters
1541
Christopher Creagh 1583 James Roche
1500 Maurice Roche
1542
William Sarsfield
1584 George Gold
1501 William Gold
1543
William Skiddy
1585 Stephen Walters
1502 William Gallaway
1544 James Gold
1586 Stephen Terry
1503 Edmund Gold
1545
Richard Gold
1587 Robert Coppinger
1504 John Gallaway
1546
William Gold
1588 Edmund Terry
15U5 William Terry
1547
William Gold
1589 John Skiddy
1506 William Skiddy
1548
Patrick Meagh
1590 Dominick Roche
1507 John Skiddy
1549
Thomas Ronayne
1591 David Terry
1508 Richard Gallaway
1550
Dominick Roche
1592 Henry Walsh
1509 Edmund Gallaway
1551
William Terry
1593 Patrick Gallaway
1510 Edmund Gold
1552
James Roche
1594 Francis Martel
1511 Edmund Terry
1553
Patrick Gallaway
1595 James INlcagh
1512 John Gallaway
1554
Richard Terry
1596 Patrick Gallaway
1513 John Roche
1555
Christopher Meagh
1597 George Gold
1514 Edmund Terry
1556
William Sarsfield
1598 John Skiddy
1515 Richard Skiddy
1557
William Skiddy
1599 James Sarsfield
1516 Walter Gallaway
1558
Dominick Roche
1600 William Mead
1517 John Skiddy
1559
Edmund Gold
1601 John M-cad
1518 Nicholas Skiddy
1560
Edward Gallaway
1602 John Coppinger
1519 Patrick Terry
1561
John Gallaway
1603 Thomas Sarsfiield
1520 Edmund Roche
1562
Andrew Gallaway
1604 Edmund Terry
1521 David Terry
1563
Maurice Roche
1605 Robert Coppinger
1522 Richard Gold
1664
Stephen Coppinger
1606 AVilliam Sarsfield
1523 Maurice Roche
1565
Richard Roche
1607 Philip Martel
1524 Edmund Gold
1566
William Gallaway
1608 David Terry
1525 William Terry
1567
Edmund Gold
1609 Dominick Roche
1526 John Skiddy
1568
John Gallaway
1527 Walter Gallaway
1569 Andrew Gallaway
305
306
CORK REMEMBRANCER
A.D. Mayors.
IGlO * Edmoiul Galhvey, Oct.
IGO'J.
1611 George Gold Fitz-Edmond
October 1st 1010.
1G12 Dominick Tyrrv Fitz-Ed-
mond, Sept. 30th IGll.
Dominick Gallvvey, Jan.
3lst IGll.
1G13 William SkiddyFitz-Johu
Oct. 1st lGi2. '
IG13 PatrickTyrryFitz-William
Jau. 13tli 1612.
SherijSTs.
Edward Roche. Henry Gould Fiz-Piors.
Dominick Tyn-v Fitz-Edmond, Andrew
Galhvey Fitz-Walter,
Stephen Miagh Fitz-Garrett, Patrick La-
wallyne Fitz-Uichard.
Nicholas lloche, who died in office, and
was succeeded by Edward lloche, Fitz-
John
George Lombard, George Morrogh,
John Colliuayne, INIaurice Kynt.
* We are unaUe to ascertain the source from which Smith procured his List of the
Maj'ors of Corlj, prior to the year I6O9, when Cork was made a County in itself, and in
which year the earliest book of the Corporation commences ; Imt finding William Syghin
named in a Chancery Koll, as Mayor in the year 1381, we conclude, that Smith's list can-
not be quite correct. We have also discovered some ancient memoranda among the JISS.
in Trinity College, Dublin, of the names of some of the Mayors of Cork, at unconnected
periods, evidently taken from records or original documents, which lead us to the same
conclusion — we have inserted these latter names underneath. But from the year 1609,
and probably from a more remote date. Smith's list may be considered correct, though cer-
tainly incomplete. We have procured additions from the ahove-mentioned book, and now
give the list of .Sheriffs from their first institution. The officers who preceded them were
called Bailiffs. It may be obscived, that for several years the office of Jlayoralty generally
lasted only six months.
r280 Ricardus de leyr, major circa ann.
1309 Willielmus Pollard major
1311 Jole Walcys major
1322 Percivallus filius Wincentii Rup major
1320 Jo Galegre major
1322 Jo Galegre major 10 Ed. 2nd.
Tordanus le Waleys I j^^j-^^^
llich xSoteswayn |
1325 idem
1325 Jo Galegre major
Jordan Walensis I !,„,,■ ;
RicBotswain 1 •'="^"'
1310* Walt de Kerdyf major 1st Ed. 3rd
]37Gt Thomas Tichc major, 20 Ed. 3rd.
vel ante.
1336 Wra. Skyddy major, 10 Ed. 3rd 1331
1340 Wm. Kroupe major,, 14 Ed. 3rd
1339 Jo fz Wm. le Blound
1348-49 Wra. Daindon major
135/ Robt. Droupe major
Reyne McKergan
Wm. Spccer
Balives.
Sic,
T do.
135/ Jo Myne major
Jo Malbv I T. IV ■
Jo Marten | S^"^"
1361 Walt. Kcrdiffe nup major
1364 And. Stackbole major of the Staple
Wm. Pollard I „ . , ,
Jo Marten | Constables
1361 Jo Lumbard, major
1369 Wm. Pollard, nuper major
1309 Gilb. flcraing, major
Thomas Lawelyne I xj iv •
,,,,,, •' Ballivi
Jo MartcU |
13/0 Gilb, flemyng, major
Thomas Honybride I t, ir- •
Jo Marten 1 ^^"'"
1371 John Wyne, major
Thomas HonybryJ, major ante 13/4
1386 Jo Pomfret, nup major
Jo Lone I , ,.
JoWaryng, | ^''l^^"
1330 Jo Pomfret, nup major
Jo Love I I, IV •
JoWar>n | ""P ballm
1441 Jo Skyddy, major
Kic Stone and Jam Cowlys, balives.
APPENDIX. 3l'7
A.n. Maj/ors. Sho'ifs.
IGM David Tvrrv FItz-Davi.l Edmnnd GooUl Fltz-George,riiilip Pouncli
Oct. Gth 1(513. Fitz-.Inhn.
E(lmi)nJ Tyn-y Fitz-EJ- Ailam Goold Fitz-Patrick, Christopher
moiul Jan. 13th 1G13. Galhvey
1G15 William Gold Fitz-George Edmond Goold Fitz-Henry, Nicholas
Oct. 3rd 1614. Lombard Fitz-James.
Dominick Roche Fitz-James. Feb. 20 101 1
1G16 George Tvrrv Fitz-Edd. John Galhvey, James Goold.
Oct. 2iid 1615.
John Coppinjxer Fitz-John Maurice Roche Fitz-James, Thomas ]\Iar-
Jan. 31bt 1615. tell Fitz-Philip,
Robert WiagheFitz-David JohnCoppingcr.
April 3r(l.
1G17 Patrick Tvrrv John Copi)ingor Fitz-John, William Gall-
July 20th"l616. wey Fitz-Edmond.
Robert Miagh, StephenGalwayFitz-Walter
Sopt 30th 1616.
1G18 William Gold Fitz-Gcorge Thomas INIorlv, LanccUotTeape.
Oct. Gth 1617.
1619 John Coppinger Fitz-John Robert Glover, Richard Cooke.
Oct. 5th 1G18.
1G20 WilliamTirrieFitz-Richd. John Ghilbort, Robert Myntren.
Oct. 4th 1619
1621 Andrew SkiddieFitz-Wil- Henry Roberts, Richard Rowse.
liam. Oct. 2ad 1620.
1622 John Coppinger, Jun. John Addis, John Tucker.
Oct. 1st 1621.
1623 John Rnch Fitz-Patrick Richard Connell, Edmond MurlHe.
Sept. 30th 1622.
1 624 John Roche. Sept. 6th James Lombard, James Karnev.
1623.
1625 Henry Gold Fitz-Adam John Miagh Fitz-Hcnry, Richard Hallyn
Oct. 4th 1624. Fitz-Robcrt.
1626 Edmond Martell Fitz- Stephen Martell, David Lombard Fitz-
Philip, Oct. 3d 1625. James. Oct. 7th.
1627 William Here. Oct. 2d John Gold Fitz-James, James Mathew
1626. Fitz-James.
1628 David Tvrrv Fitz-Edmond Stephen Gould, James Fitz-Gcrrald.
Oct. Ist"l627.
1629 James Murroghe Oct. Gth Ma>u-ice Roche Fitz-Patrick, Milcher La-
1628. valhne.
1630 Thomas Ronayne .. William Tirrie Fitz-George, Thomas Fitz-
John-Gerald.
1631 Maurice Roche Oct. 4th Nicholas Skiddy, Patrick Drady.
1630.
1G32 Jeffry Gallway Fitz- Richard Tirry, John Drady.
Patrick, Oct. 3rd 1631.
1633 Wm. Roche Fitz Dominick Robert Coppinger, Edward Gould.
Oct. 1st 1632.
1634 Richard Roche, Sept 30th Robert Verdon, Dominick Tyrry.
1633.
308
CORK REMEMBRANCER
A.r. Mayors.
1G35 Thomas Martell, Oct. Gth
1634.
1G36 Robert Miagh, Oct. 5th
1635.
1G37 David Meade, Oct. 3rd
1636,
1638 Patrick Lavaliiie, Aug.
I8th 1637.
1639 Thomas Sarsfleld, Aug. 21
1638.
1640 Thomas Fitz-GeorgeGoold
Sept. 3rd 1639.
1641 Milcher Lavalline, Oct.
5th 1640.
1642 Maurice Roche Fitz-
Patrick. Nov. 1st 1641.
1643 John Roche Fitz-Maurice
Oct. 3rd 1642.
Sheriffs.
James Roche Fitz-Patrick,\Vm. Kearney,
William White, Dominick Morrogh.
Patrick Arthur, William Verdon.
Thomas Sarsfield, William Tirrie.
James Fitz-I'atrick Sarsfield, James Fitz-
David Gould.
Stephen Coppinger, John Fitz-Maurice
Roche.
George Thirry Fitz-William, Philip Mar-
tell Fitz-Edward.
Francis Roche, Edmond Roche.
Richard Galvvey, Philip Roche ; the latter
haviHff died before he was sworn, Robert
Thyrry Fitz-Robert was elected on the
I'ith day of October, in his stead.
1644 Robert Coppinger ..
1645 James Lombard
For ten years there were no civil Magistrates, it being the period of
Cromwell' s usurpation. In the year 1655, Sir William Fenton, and four
others, xvho were ancient freemen of the city, met together and elected John
Hodder, Mayor, and William Hodder and Philip Matheivs, Sheriffs. Since
this time all the offices of the Corporation have been filled by Protestants,
1656 John Hodder,
1657 Wm. Hodder,
1658 Philip Mathews,
1659 Jonas Morris,
1660 Chris. Oliver,
1661 Walt. Cooper,
1662 Rich. Covett,
1663 James Vandeluer,
1664 Rich. Basset,
1665 Noblet Dunscombe,
1666 Thos. Farren,
1667 Christopher Rye,
1668 Christopher Rye,
1669 Mathew Deane,
1670 James Finch,
1671 Jn. Newenham,
1672 John Hawkins,
1673 Thomas Mills,
1674 John Bayley,
^\■ilHam Hodder, Philip Mathews.
Richard CoTett, Timothy Tuckey.
Richard Basset, John Bayley.
Richard Lane, Noblet Dunscombe.
Thomas Farren, John Flyn.
Christopher Rye, Nicholas King. ••
Robert Williams, Thomas Crook.
William French, Richard Purdon.
James Finch, Mathew Deane.
John Newenham, Patrick Ronayne.
John Hawkins, Timothy Tuckey.
Thomas Mill, George Wright.
Thomas Kitchenman, Robert Fletcher.
William Field, Richard Harvey.
William Wren, Thomas Walker.
Jonathan Perry, John Bayley.
Thomas Franklin, John Terry.
James Mills, Thomas Wills.
Robert Rogers, William Hull.
APPENDIX.
309
A.n. Mai/ors.
1G75 r.eo. Wright,
1G7G William Fiekl,
1677 Timothy Tuekey,
1G78 Thomas Kitchenman,
1679 John Bayley,
1680 Robert Rogers,
1681 William Alwin,
1GS2 Richard Covett,
1683 John Wright,
1681 Edward Webber,
*1685 Christopher Crofts,
1686 Edward Hoare,
1 687 Wm. Ballard & Ignatius
for King James.
1G88 Patrick Roche,
1689 Dorainick Sarsfield,
1690 William Ballard,
1691 Daniel Crone,
1692 William Charters,
1693 William Howell,
1691 Peter Renew,
1G95 Samuel Love,
1696 Jas. French,
1697 Wm. Roberts,
1698 William Goddard,
1699 Theo. Morris,
1700 John Sealy,
1701 Simon Bring,
1702 John Whiting,
1703 Edm. Knap,
1704 W'illiara Andrews,
1705 Fras. Cotterel,
1706 Bernard Puye,
1707 Jos. Franklin,
1708 Row. Delahoyde,
1709 Noblet Rogers,
1710 Edward Hoare,
Skeri^s.
John Wright, Edward "Webber.
Edward Youd, John Se-jly.
William Allen, Christopher Crofts.
William Maleborn, Richard Terry.
. . William Ballard, William Howell
Randal Hull, Henry Gerald.
Thomas Croneen, Stephen Cook.
, William Charters, Eleazer Lavers.
Zachariah Coke, Samuel Bayley.
Edward Hoare, John Bayley.
Daniel Crone, John Champion.
Thomas Browne, Edward Tucker.
Gold, William Coppinger, William White.
Bate French, Thomas Murrough.
. . Patrick Mead, Patrick Nagle.
William Roberts, William Green.
Peter Renew, Samuel Love.
John Whiting, Richard Slocomb.
James French, Simon Dring.
John Raynes, William Goddard.
. Ed. Knap, Jonathan Tressilion.
Theoph. Morice, Ferd. Penington.
Richard Crab, Thomas Kinsmell.
William Andrews, Edward Yeamans.
Earth. Taylor, John Allen.
Joseph Ruddock, Fr. Cotterel.
Joseph Franklin, Bern. Poye.
WiUiam Masters, Abraham Watkins.
Mathias Smith, Edward Brown.
Daniel Perdriau, Rowl. Delahoyde,
William Cockeril, Daniel Pierce.
Noblet Rogers, Patrick Hamilton.
Edward Hoare, John Hawkins
William Lambley, James Morison.
Richard Philips, Samuel Wilson.
Thomas Barry, Samuel Ablin.
♦This is probably the same name as Crafts. We have seen an old fashioned silver bos
with Nicholas Dunscombe, Esq. of Grenville Place, which bears the following inscription,
" The gift of George Crafts, to Noblett Dunscombe, Nouember 1679." Tliis George Crafts
was, we presume of the same family as the above Christopher Crofts. The silver box
contains an Antelopes foot of a very beautiful species, it is exceedingly small, and is tipped
with gold. Both the box and the little relic which it contains still remain in Jlr.
Dunscombe' 3 family.
Dl
310
CORK REMEMBRANCER
A i>. Mayors.
1711 Richard Philips,
1712 Daniel Pev.lriau,
1713 John Allen,
1714 Edward Browne,
1715 Philip French,
1716 William Lamblej',
1717 Abraham French,
1718 John Morley,
1719 John Terry,
1720 Joseph Lavite,
1721 William Hawkins,
1722 Dan. Pierce,
1723 Ed. Brocklesby,
1724 Geo. Bennet,
1725 Amb. Cramer,
1726 Robt. Atkins,
1727 Thomas Brown,
1728 Hugh Milhml,
1729 John Atkins,
1730 Jos. Austin,
1731 James Hulet,
1732 Sam. Croker,
1733 Thomas Pembroke,
1734 Geo. Fuller,
1735 Amb. Jackson,
1736 Thos. Farren,
1737 John Baldwin
1738 Adam Newman
1739 Wm. Fuller,
1740 Harding Parker
1741 Richard Bradshaw,
1742 Wm. Owgans,
1743 Randie Westrop,
1741 William Winthrop,
1745 Wm. Lavite
1 74G William Taylor,
1747 Hugh Millard,
1748 Dan. Crone,
1749 William Holmes,
1750 Robert Wri.xon,
1751 William Bustoad,
1752 Mathias Smith,
1753 Sir John Frekc, bart.
1754 Geo, Ilodder
Sheriffs.
John Terry, Richard Addis.
l*hilip French, Anthony Goss,
Abraham French, Joseph Lavite.
J(din Morison, Hugh Millard.
John Morley, Francis Power.
Thomas Shears, Thomas Brown.
William Hawkins, Charles Cotterel.
Edw. Brocklesby, Joseph Austin
John Maunsel, George Fuller.
Samuel Croker, James Farrcaut.
William Ougan, Augustus Cavre.
Robert Atkins, George Bennet.
Amb. Cramer, James Hulet.
Francis Rowland, Thomas Pembroke.
William Bustead, John Franklin.
James Crook, Ambrose Jackson.
John Atkins, William Lane.
Dan. Engane, Thomas Austin.
Francis Hcaly, Harding Parker.
Whetenhal Hignet, John Baldwin.
James Piercy, Robert Travers.
Wm. Newenham, Adam Newman.
Kobert Dring, Walter Lavite.
Thomas Farren, Wm. Delahoydc.
William Fuller, Thomas Brown.
Daniel Crone, Richard Bradshaw.
Christ. Carleton, Hor. Townscnd.
Randie Westrop, Nath. Barry.
John Terry, Noblet Philips.
George Fuller, William Clarke.
William Taylor, Wm. Winthrop.
Mathias Smith, Hugh .Alillard.
Robert Wrixon, William Harding.
Sir Lichard Cox, bart. Usiicr Philpot.
Nicholas Ford, David Bruce.
Phineas Bury, William Holmes.
William Busteed, George Hodder.
James Chatterton, Hugh Reily.
John Webb, John Svvete.
Sir J. Freke, bart. R. Newenham.
Francis Carleton, Hugh Swayne
John Wrixon, Stephen Denroche.
John Cossart, Kevan Izod.
John Smith. Jos. Witheral
APPENDIX.
311
K D.
1 ?55
175G
1757
1758
1759
1760
17GI
1762
1763
1764
1765
1766
1767
1768
1769
1770
1771
1772
1773
1774
1775
1776
1777
1778
1779
1780
1781
1782
1783
1781
1785
1783
1787
1788
1789
1790
1791
1792
1793
1794
Mayors.
JdIhi Hoily
Williaiii! ILinliiig . .
Usher Philpott
John Swete
Phineas Bury
Joseph Withcral
Andrew Franklin
John Wrixon
John Smith
Boyle Travers
Wni. Parks
Sara. Maylor
James Chatterton
Noblet Phillips
Godfrey Baker . .
Christ. Collis
John Webb
John Roc
Francis Rowland
John Travers
Wm Butler
Hugh Lawtovi
Thos. Owgau
Palms Westi-opp
John Harding
Frs. Carleton
Walter Travers
Sober Kent,
Richard Kollet,
James Morrisson,
Sir John Franklin, . .
Sir Samuel Rowland,
James Kingston,
Richard Purccll,
Henry Harding, died in
office and was succeeded
hy Humphrey Crowly.
Richard Harris,
Henry Puxley,
John Shaw,
William Wilcocks,
John Thompson,
1795 Jaspor Lucas,
Sheriffs.
Samuel Maylor, Godl'rey Baker
Thos. Neweuham, John Roe
Boyle Travers, P. Westropp
W. Parks, Christ. CulHs
Andw. Franklin, Dan. Connor
H. Harding, Thomas Owgan
W. Fitton, James Morrisson
Walter Travers, Robert Lane
Francis Rowland, Wm. Coles
Henry Wrixon, Wm. Butler
Sam. Rowland W. Wilcocks
John Travers, John Harding
S. Two good French, H, Lawton
Sober Kent, Richard Lloyd
Beiijn. Bousfield, Richard Kellct
Peter Cossart, Jasper Lucas
John Wrixon, Henry Puxley
Richard Harris, John Franklin
Kingsmill Berry, Francis Carleton, jun.
Thomas Fuller, Philip Benuet
W. Lawton, I\I. R. Westropp, C. Denroche
John Day, Wm. Leycester
Thos. Harding, Richard Lane
Christopher Lawton, Richd. Purcell
Michael Busteed, Vesian Pick
James Kingston, Aylmer AUea
R. Hutchinson. Peter Dumas
John Thompson, J. Lindsaj-.
John Shaw, Thomas Waggett.
Philip Allen, Humphrey Crowley.
William Lumley, Henry Sadlcir.
Christopher Allen, Christopher Waggett.
Rowland Morrisson, Jeff. Piercy.
J. Herbert Orpen, Paul Maylor.
Thomas Harding, jun. N. Johnson.
C. Ferguson, Sir H. B, Hayes.
James Sadleir, Thomas Dorman.
William Clerke, John Forster.
Charles Evanson, William Lane.
David Perrier, knighted duriny office.
Henry Bagncll.
Stretlel Jackson, Michael Wood.
312
CORK REMEMBRANCER
A.D. Mai/ors.
1796 Vesian Pick, knighted . .
during office.
1797 Kingsmill Berry,
1798 Philip Bennett,
1799 Michael Busteetl,
1800 Philip Allen,
1801 Michl. Roberts Westropp.
1802 Richard Lane,
1803 Christopher Allen, died in
office, and was succeeded
by Thomas Waggett.
1804 Charles Evanson,
1805 Rowland Morrison,
1806 John Day,
1807 Thomas Harding,
1808 John Forster,
1809 Noblet Johnson,
1810 Paul Maylor,
1811 Thomas Dorman,
1812 Peter Dumas,
1813 Sir David Perrier, knt.. .
1814 John George Newsom, . .
1815 Henry Sadleir,
*1816 Edward Allen,
1817 Thomas Gibbings,
1818 Richard Digby,
1819 Isaac Jones,
tl820 Sir Anthony Perrier, . ,
1821 Edward Newsom,
1822 Henry Bagnell,
1823 Bartholomew Gibbings, . .
1824 J. N. Wrixon,
1825 Thomas F. Harrison, . .
1826 Richard N. Parker,
1827 Thomas Dunscombe,
1828 Thomas Pope,
Sheriffs.
Thomas Gibbings, Edward Allen,
Robert Harding, John Cuthbert, jun.
Abraham Lane, Isaac Jones.
Thomas Pope, Richard Digby,
Henry Hickman, William Lane.
John George Newsom, J. N. Wrixon.
Thomas Dunscombe, Christopher Cole.
John Cotter, jun. William Busteed.
Peter Besnard, George Knapp.
Richard N. Parker, Richard Maguire.
Richard Lane, Charles Cole.
Joseph Leycester, George S. Waggett.
William Jameson, jun. Anthony Perrier,
the latter was knighted during office.
Thomas Harris, John D. Church.
Robert Deane, J. Besnard, jun.
Edward Newsom, James Lane.
Bartholomew Gibbings, Francis Redder.
Joseph Garde, Henry Bagnell, jun.
Henry Bennett, William Johnson.
Thomas Deane, William Lucas,
Charles Perry, Charles Evanson.
J. W. Newsom, Samuel Lane.
H. B. Westropp, T. F. Harrison,
William Preston White, George Atkins.
Lionel J. Westropp, T. P. Boland.
Isaac Morgan, R. Leycester,
John Saunders, Julius Besnanl.
William Crofts, Robert Lawe.
Edward Colburne, John Bagnell,
George Newsom, Andrew Spearing.
John Wallis, William J. Jones.
Robert Evory, Osborne Savage.
Samuel Perry, jun J. J. Cummins.
* There was a vacancy in the beginning of this year ; George Knapp who was elected,
not being eligible as being a revenue officer. There was a new election in November
when Mr. Allen was elected Mayor ; Mr. Allen died in office, and no successor for the
remainder of the year was appointed.
t There was a similar vacancy this year, Christopher Coie, who was elected, having
resigned ; there was cynsequently a new election in November, when Sir Anthony Perrier
was elected.
APPENDIX.
313
A.D. Mayors.
1829 George Kuapp,
1830 Josepli Garde,
1831 John Besnard,
1832 Joseph Leycester,
1833 Charles Perry,
1834 Richard Lane, died in
office, and teas succeeded
by Andrew Spearing,
*1835 Peter Besnard,
1836 John Saunders,
1837 John Baguell,
1838 Lionel J. Westropp,
1839 James Lane,
Sheriffs.
James Wallis, Nicholas Vincent.
George W. Foott, Thomas Deanc, thelatter
knighted during office.
Aylmer Richard Martin, William John.
Charles E. Hardy, Wm. Lumley Perrier.
Randal Howe, Aylmer Allen.
William White, knighted during office;
George Foott.
William Rogers, J B. Ballard.
James C. Perry, Richard B. Tooker.
Robert Vincent, George F. Sadleir.
Thomas Exham, Nicholas Cummins.
George Newsom, William Harris.
COMMON'S SPEAKERS OF CORK,
Since the Year 1 792.
1792 Charles Evauson 1808
1793 David Perrier 1809
1794 Strettle Jackson 1810
1795 Edward Allen 1811
1796 Robert Harding 1812
1797 Richard Digby 1813
1798 Thomas Pope 1814
1799 William Lane 1815
1800 John G. Newsom 1816
1801 Thos. Dunscombe 1817
1802 John Cotter 1818
1803 Peter Besnard 1819
1804 Richard N. Parker 1820
1805 William Jameson 1821
1806 Joseph Leycester 1822
1807 Anthony Perrier 1823
Thomas Harris
John Besnard
James Lane
Barthw. Gibbings
H. Bagnell, jun.
William Johnson
Thomas Deane
C. Evanson, jun.
George Campbell
Wm. Henry Allen
George Atkins
Thomas P. Boland
Isaac Morgan
Julius Besnard
R(jbert Lawe
Edward Colburne
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
George Newsom
Wm. Thos. Jones
Robert Evory
Sam. Rich. Perry
Richard Sainthill
Thomas Deane
William John
Charles E. Hardy
Aylmer W. Allen
George Foott
William Rogers
John D. Croker
Robert Vincent
George Newsom
William Harris
Benjamin Deeble
• The Magistrates elected for this jear were Uobert Deaue, Ksq. Mayor, and William
Rogers, and James B. Ballard, Esqrs. Sherift's ; but a memorial from several of the citi-
zens having been presented to the Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council, against their sanc-
tioning the election, on the alleged ground of their being Orangemen, his excellency
refused to sanction the appointment, in consequence of which a new election was necessary
when, pursuant to a bye law of the Corporation, a new drawing for mayor took place, and
Peter Besnard, Esq. was chosen ; the same Sherill's as before were re-elected, and the Lord
Liuuteuaut sauctioucd their appointmeut.
314
CORK REMEMBRANCER
SOVEREIGNS OF KINS ALE.
1G19 William Young
The Records from this
year to 1G23 are lost.
16-23 James l?nche
The Records from this
year to June 1652, are
also lost.
1651 Tristm. Whitcomb
1652 HughPercivaI,d<Vd
071 the 26tk Jan. 1G53
1052-3 Thomas Browne
1G53 William Miluer
1654 Jolin Stepney
1655 Thomas Turner
1056 William Howell
1G57 Robert Southwell
IG58 Thomas Browne
1659 William Milner
1660 John Stepney
16G1 Anthony Stawell
1662 John Suxberry
16G3 John Mountfort
16G4 William Broatlherc
1GG5 Anthony Stawell
1666 Edwards Yeamans,
died 2btk Jwie 1C67
1666-7 John Mountfort
1667 John Nicholson
1668 Robert Southwell
1669 Robert Southwell
1670 Joseph Elwell
1671 Josias Percival
1672 John Suxberry
1673 John Suxberry
1674 Josias Percival
1075 Anthony Stawell
1670 Anthony Stawell
1677 John Mountfort
1678 John Mouutfuvt
1679 Anthony Stawell
1680 Anthony Stawell
1681 George Pygott
1682 Anthony Stawell
1G83 John Smaldridge
1684 John Mountfort
1685 Anthony Stawell,
died 20th Oct. ! 685
1685-6 John Mountfort
Joseph Elwell, not ap-
proved by LordLieut.
and Council
1G86 Edward Kenny
1687 V/illiam Browne
1687-8 Robert Myagh,
28 Feb. 1687
1688 Robert Myagh
1089 John Gold
1690 Edward Roche
1690 E. Kenny, 2d Oct
1691 Jonas Stawell
1692 Arthur Keeffe
1693 James Burrows
1C94 John Mountfort
1695 John Suxberry
1096 John Suxberry
1697 Edward Stawell
1698 Gabriel Soulden
1099 Gabriel Soulden
1700 Arthur Keeffe
1701 Arthur Keeffe
1702 Edward Stawell
1703 Arthur Keeffe
1704 Arthur Keeffe
1705 Thurston Haddock
1700 John Chudleigh
1707 Robert Chudleigh
1708 Edward Bridges
1709 William Bowler
1710 James Dennis
1711 James Dennis
1712 Thomas Lacey
7113 James Dennis
1714 James Dennis
1715 Robert Chudleigh
1716 John Winter
1717 William Bulleii
1718 William Bowler
1719 Richard Bridges
1720 Richard Bridges
1721 Griffith Beven
1722 James Dennis
1723 Andrew Knox
1724 Anthony Stawell
1725 Nicholas Beamish
1720 Theoph. Cramer
1727 William Bullen
1728 William Bowler
1729 Nicholas Beamish
1730 R. Bridges,d<erf23rf
March
1731-1 William Bowler
1731 William Bowler
1732 Nicholas Beair\isli
1733 Hugh Winter
1734 John Heard
1735 Nicholas Beamish
1736 Hugh Winter
1737 John Haughtoa
1738 Samuel Bishop
1739 Samuel Bishop
1740 Nicholas Beamish
1741 Hugh Winter
1742 Hugh Winter
1743 Robert Markham
1744 Robert Markham
1745 Joseph Coleman
1740 Joseph Coleman
1747 Walter Bowler
1748 Walter Bowler
1749 Henry Massey
APPENDIX.
315
1750 Henry Masscy I77G
17r)l John Engliili 1777
1752 John English 1778
1753 George Ruddock 1779
1751 George Ruddock 1780
1755 Thomas Markhara 1781
1756 Nicholas Fiulger 1782
1757 Thomas Markham 1783
1758 Nicholas Fudger 1784
1759 Thomas Markham 1785
17G0 John Folliott, re- 1786
s iff lied Bee. 1, 17 GO 1787
17G0-1 Lewis Leary 1788
17G1 Joseph Coleman 1789
17G2 John Chudleigh 1790
1763 Nicholas Fudger, 1791
died Feb. 8, 1764 1792
1763-4 John Chudleigh 1793
1764 John Gill 1794
1765 Thomas Markham 1795
1766 Joseph Coleman 1796
1767 John Gill 1797
1768 Lewis Leary 1798
1769 Edward Heard 1799
1770 (Jeorge Ruddock 1800
1771 John Gill 1801
1772 Rohert Yarde 1802
1773 Edward Heard, 1803
died Oct. 27, 1773 1804
1773-4 George Ruddock 1805
1774 John Howe 1806
1775 Robert Yarde 1807
Haddk. Cluulleigh
Had. Chudleigh
Had. Chudleigh
Had. Chudleigh
Hal. Cliudleigh
Had. Chudleigh
Had. Chudleigh
Isaac Hoey
Isaac Hoey
James Carty
Had. Chudleigh
Joseph Coleman
William Newman
Had. Chudleigh
William Newman
William Newman
Had. Chudleigh
William Newman
William Newman
Joseph Bullen
William Newman
William Newman
Joseph Bullen
Rev. Peter Foley
W'illiam Newman
Willjam Newman
A. W. Hutcheson
A. W. Hutcheson
A W. Hutcheson
A. W. Hutcheson
A. W. Hutcheson
A. W. Hutcheson
1808
1809
1810
ISU
1812
1813
1814
1815
181G
1P17
1818
1819
1820
1821
1 822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
.1837
1838
1839
John Meade
John Meade
Rev. Peter Foley
W^illiam Newman
Rev. Peter Foley
William Newman
Rev. Peter Foley
William Newman
William New'man
J(din Isaac Heard
William Newman
John Isaac Heard
William Newman
John Isaac Heard
William Newman
William Newman
John Isaac Heard
William Newman
"John Isaac Heard
William Newman
John Isaac Heard
William Newman
John Isaac Heard
William Newman
Edward Hunt
Ed. Heard (John)
Ed. Heard (John)
Ed. Heard (John)
Ed. Heard (John)
Edward Hunt
John S. Newman
John S. Newman
RECORDERS
1G19 Laurence Parsons. 10th Sept.
1623 William Galwey. 31 st Oct.
1652 Richard Hodden, 25th June
1656 Henry Bathurst, 6th Oct.
1676 William Worth, 29th ftlarch,
afterwards 2nd Baron of the
Irish Exchequer.
1682 Richard Cox, 29th Septem.
afterwards 2nd Justice of the
Irish Common Pleas.
1687 Andrew Morrogh, 28th Feb.
OF KINSALE.
1690 John Dowdall, 14th Nov.
1693 Francis Bernard, 18th Jan.
1730 Jephson Busteed
1734 Stephen Bernard, 29th June
1763 Domiuick Sarsfield, 6th April
1768 John Herbert, 7th April
1796 William Rowley. 6th June
1812 A. W. Hutcheson, 13th May
1812 Anthony Gonnell, 16th Dec.
1832 Percy Gethin Payne, 26th Dec.
1835 William Rich. Meade, 5th Oct.
316
CORK REMEMBRANCER
TOWN CLERKS OF KINSALE.
1C19 George Nicholson, lOtli Sept.
1G77 John Sherman, 22iid June
1G77 Richard Browne, 2nd Nov.
1708 Jeremiah Browne, 18th Oct.
1766 Thomas Leary, 10th Jan.
1784 Thomas Coleman, 28th June.
1811 George Newman, 23rd May
HIGH SHERIFFS OF THE COUNTY OF CORK.
1319 John Fitzsimon, lOth Dec.
1343 Nicholas de Barry
1344 William Fitz-David de Roche,
was ajrpoinled to act as Sherijff',
■until another should he appointed
in his place.
1344 David Fitz-David de Darry,
21st Nov.
1359 Sir John de Carew, Knt., She-
riff, previous to this year, but ive
have found no record of his ap-
pointment.
1377 John Warner, IGth July
1386 Robert Thame
1409 Sir John Barry
1603 Sir Francis Kingsmill
1604 Sir Francis Kingsmill
1G07 Sir Francis Kingsmill
1609 Edward Percy, Esq.
1611 Sir Thomas Brown, Knt.
1612 Piers Power
1613 Pierce Power
1613 Sir Thomas Southall, Knt.
1614 William Booley, Esq.
1G16 Samuel Norton, Esq,
*1616 Sir Robert Carew, Knt.
1620 Callaghan O'Callaghan, Esq.
1621 John Fitzgerald, Knt.
1622 Sir Thomas Fitzgerald, Knt.
1C34 Edmond Fitzgerald
1035 Daniel M'Carthy Reagh
1612 William Supple, 21st April
tl657 John Ilodder, Alderman of
Cork.
1661 Wm. Hodder, Alderman of Cork
1G64 Redm. Barry, 11th Dec. 1663
1665 Richard Aldvvorth
1669 John Wyddenham
1670 Arthur Hyde
1671 Richard Townsend, 12th Mar.
1672 Richard Townsend, continued.
1673 Wm. Thornhill, 14th Dec. 1672
1674 Roger Osborne, 15th Dec. 1673
1675 Wm. Ilarmer, Jun. 3rd Dec.
1674.
1676 Francis Bernard, 6th Dec. 1675
1C77 Sir Emanuel Moore, Bart. 7th
Dec. 1676
1G78 Richard Hull, 4th Dec. 1677
1679 Epinetus Cross, Nov. 16, 1678
1G80 John FoUiott, Dec. 27, 1679
1681 Wm. Supple, Dec. 2, 1680
1682 Richard Travers, Dec. 20, 1681
1683 John Folliott, Nov. 16, 1682
1684 Arthur Hide, Nov. 22, 1683
1685 Arthur Hide,
ICBG Laurence Clayton,
1687 Nicholas Browne, of Bantry.
1688 Nicholas Browne, of Bantry.
1689 Piers or Pierce Nagle,
1690 Robert Foulkes, July 10,
1692 Boyle AXdviovih, of Newmarket,
Dec. 3, 1691,
* An account of this branch of the Carew's has been printed in the 5th volume of
the Collectanea Topographica et Gcnealogica.
fThe list of Sheriffs appears very defective at this period ; we have ascertained this and
the following sheriff's name from an inscription on a stone in Christ Church, Cork.
APPENDIX.
317
1G93 John Folliott,
1694 Piercy Freak,
1095 John St. Leger,
169G Digby Foulkes,
1C97 Arthur Bernard,
1698 Thomas Hodder,
1700 James Barry,
1701 Lawrence Clayton,
1702 Francis Foulk,
Richard Cox, of Kilbrittain,
Esq. June 4, 1702.
1703 Richard Cox, of Dunmanway.
William Supple
1704 John Browne,
1705 William Supple,
1706 Arthur Bernard,
1707 John Silver,
1708 Bartholemevv Purdon
1709 Ralph Freke,
1710 Arthur Hyde,
1711 James Tynte, Richard Cox,
lath Jidij (Tynte)*
1712 George Crofts,
1713 Richard Cox of Ditnmanwuij,
1714 Sir Mathow Deane, Bart.
1715 Richard Croker,
1716 Gershara Herrick
1717 Anthony Jephson,
1718 William Maynard, Ciirriglass.
1719 Edward Corker,
1720 Randall Clayton,
1721 Redmond Barry, Rathcormac
1722 John Fitzgerald,
1723 William Cansa'uon,
1724 Richard Aldworth,
1725 John Colthurst,
1726 Richard Townsend,
1727 Richard Cox, of Dunmanivay
1728 The Hon. David John Barry
of Maliona.
1729 Roger Bernard,
I7*j0 Noblett Dunscombe,
1731 Robert Bettesworth,
1732 John Lysaght,
1733 John Rogers o/ Ash grove,
1734 Redmond Barry, jun, ofBally-
clough,
1735 Anthony Jephson, jun., il/a^Jow
1736 Nicholas Colthurst
1737 Richard Newman
1738 John Colthurst, sen.
1739 Thomas Evans of Miltoivn
1740 Anthony Jephson, }\xxi., Mallow
1741 Edward Herrick of Shippool,
1742 Samuel Townshend,
1743 Edmond Supple, Siqiplescourt
1744 Samuel Hutchinson of Bantry
1745 Boyle Aldworth,
1746 Hugh Lumley of Ballymaloe,
1747 JamesColthurst ofKnockmorris
1748 William Jephson,
1749 Daniel Laurence,
1750 James Lombard of Gothmulier
1751 Richard Uniacke of Mount
Uniacke,
1752 Robert Warren of Kilharry
1753 Richard Townsend of Castle
Townsend,
1754 John Lysaght, of Mount-north,
afterwards created Baron Lisle
1755 Philip Oliver,
1/56 Robert Rogers of Lota,
1757 John Lysaght, jun. of Mount
North
1'7 58 Richd. Longdekl of Castle?Hary
1759 William Warren of Holly-hill
17G0 Abraham]Morris ofHanoverhall
^ 1761 Wallis Colthurst, of Cork
1762 Abraham Devonsher, of Kil-
shannick,
1763 Walter Baldwin of Carrivoody
1764 Emanuel Moore of Maryboro'
1765 Nicholas Dunscombe of Mount
Desert,
1766 AValter Aikin of Levingstoivn
1767 Roger Bernard, of Palace-anne
1768 Nich. Lysaght, of Curriglass
1769 Jonas Morris of Barley-hill,
1770 Hon John S. Barry of Anne-
grove,
Sic.
El
318
CORK REMEMBRATs'CER
1771 Benjamin Bouslield of Agha-
down,
1772 John Wallis of Westimod,
1773 Sir Robert Deane, Bart.
1774 Masscy Ilutcheson,
J 775 Matthew Freeman, who died in
office, and ivus succeeded hy
John Lonjficld
1776 Jcimes Uniacke
1777 Henry Baldwin
1778 William Wrixon,
1779 William Wrixon
1780 lion, Hayes St. Leger
1781 Sir James L. Cotter,
1782 Abraham Morris,
1783 William Chetwynd,
1784 Thomas Hungerford,
1785 R. Boyle Tovvnsend
17SG Broderick Chinnery,
1787 William W. Newenham.
1788 Sir Nicholas Conway Colthurst,
Bart.
17S9 George Dunscombe of Mount
Desert,
1790 Joseph Capel.
1791 Arthur O'Connor,
1792 Nicholas G. Evans, jun.
1793 Kilner Brasier,
1794 John Wallis,
1795 Robert Hedges,
179G Augustus Warren,
1797 Edward D. Freeman,
1798 Samuel Townsend,
1799 Samuel Swete,
180U Henry Puxley,
1801 Robert M'Carthy,
1802 Richard Thomas Orpen
18U3 Robert De la Cour,
iSiOl William W. Bccher
1805 John Travcrs
1806 John Anderson
1807 Richard Townseml
18C'8 John Hyde
1809 Justin M'Carty
1810 Michael G. Adams
18)1 Joseph D. Freeman
1812 Hon Hayes St. Leger
1813 William Baldwin,
1814 Henry Wallis,
1815 John M, Wrixon,
181G Savage French,
1817 John Tovvnsend,
1818 Jerame^t Browne,
1819 Augustus Warren, jun.
1820 Hon. William Smith Bernard
1821 Henry Green Barry,
1822 Wills George Crofts,
1823 William H. W. Newenham,
1824 Robert Uniacke Fitzgerald,
1825 J. Smith Barry,
182G George Courtenay
1827 Simon Dring,
1828 Michael Creagh,
1829 John Longfield,
1830 Richard Tovvnsend of Saros,
1831 John llyde,i\in. of ('(istleUi/de
l>i32 Richard Oliver Aldworth,
1833 Richard Longlleld, LoiigiteviUe
1834 Lord Ennismore,
1835 Lord Berehaveii,
1836 Hon. r, obert King,
1S37 Sir George Goold, Bart.
1838 Richard White,
1839 John Isaac Heard of Kinsale,
1810 Joseph Capel Fitzgerald, of
Cloghroe, who died in office,
and was succeeded by Horatio
Tovvnsend of Woodside.
APPENDIX.
319
MEMBERS HETURXED TO PARLIAMENT BY THE
CONSTITUENCIES OF THE COUNTY OF CORK.
County of Cork.
1585 April — Sir John Norreis, Knt.
William Cogan, Esquite
John Fitzgerald, Esq. of Cloyne
1G13 Ajyril iOth— DermodM'Caithy
Esq. nf Loliort
Andi-eu' Barrett, Esq. of Ballin-
colly
lG3i June SSrc^— Sir Wm. St Leger
Knt. of Donoraile
Sir Donagh M'Carthy, Knt.
1S39 March 2wZ— Sir W. St. Legor,
Knt. of Doneraile
Siv Donagh M'Carthy, Knt.
Itedm. Roche, of Cahirdongan,
expelled the 22nd of June lG-12,
for the rebellion.
1G61 April 2bth—Uon. Rich. Boyle,
Sir Henry Tynte, Knt. Iloxhall
• June 2nd. Sir John Perceval,
bart. of Burton, vice Tynte,
deceased
1CG5 Dec. 7th — Roger Lord Broghil,
vice Boyle deceased
John St. Leger, Esq. of Done-
raile, vice Percival deceased
1G92 Sept. l9th—Uon. Hen. Bojlc
Sir St. John Brodrick, Knt. of
Ballyenane, alias Midlcton
1G95 Aug. &fh — Sir St. John Brod-
rick, Knt. of Ballyenane
Thomas Brodrick, Esq. of
"Wandsworth, Surrey
1703 .iu(/. 28'7« Sir John Perceval,
Bart, of Burton
Thomas Brodrick, Esq. of
Midleton
1713 Oct. 31sf— Sir John Perceval,
Bart, of Burton
Alan Brodrick, Esq of MiJlcton
1715 Oct. 20th — Hon. St. John
Brodrick, of Ballyenane
Ilcnry Boyle, Esq. of Castle-
martyr
1727 Oct 26M— Hon. St. John Bro-
drick, of Ballyenane
Henry Boyle, Esq. of Castle-
martyr
1728 JfJarch 3')th— Sir :\Iat. Deane,
Bart, of Dromore, vice Brodrick
deceased
17 17 Oct. 28?^— Arthur Hyde. Esq.
of Castle Hyde, vice Deane,
deceased
1753 MayMth — Charles Yisct. Dun-
garvan, vice Boyle created Earl
of Shannon
1759 Nov. 6th — Richard Townsend,
Esq. of Castletownsend, vice
Lord Dvnrjarvan deceased
1761 April 25i!/(— Richard, Yiscount
Boyle of Castlemartyr
Richard Townsend, Esq. of
Castletownsend
1765 Nov. IK/i— Hon. John Lysaght
of Mount North, v:ce Boyle
become Earl of Shannon
17C8 .7/'/?/ 2lsf— Richard Townsenl,
Esq. of Castletownsend
Johp Hyde, Esq. of Castlchyde
Gregg
1 776 Sir R. T. Meade
1782 James Bernard, Esq.
1783 Lord Kingsborough
1791 .\braham Morris, Esq.
1797 Yiscount Bo\le
1798 R. U. Fitzgerald, Esq.
ISOG Hon. Gonrge Ponsonby,
1812 Hon. Richard Hare,
• From the year 17;(5 tlic chanjos hi tlii' rcurcsciitiitioti arc onlv .sivcii.
320
CORK REMEMBRANCER
1813 Jiihj—hhm. Edw. King, Yisct.
Kingsborough.
1826 July 2btJi— Ron. Robt. King
1827 Hon. John Bojle
1830 Sept.— Uon. Richard Boyle
1833 Jan. 29<A— Fcargus O'Connoi-
G. Standisii Barry, of Lemlara
1835 Feh. 19;:/;— Richard Longfield,
Esq. of Longuevillc
\2,Z1 Sept. lUA— Edmund Burke
Roche, Esq.
City of Cork.
1559 Jan.— 3. Miagh (Meade) Esq.
Stephen Copynger. Esq.
1585 April— 3oh\-i Miagh, Esq.
'liiomas Sarsfield, Esq.
1613 April 30/A— Edmund Tyrry,
alderman of Cork
David Tyrry, alderman of Cork
1634 July Domk Copinger, gent,
of Cork
Sir Wm. Sarsfield, Knt of Sars-
field Court
1C39 AfarcA— Sir Audrew Barrett,
Knt. of Castlemore, Iniscarry
DominickHoche, alderman of
Cork
1661 April 30^/<— Peter Courthorpe,
Esq. Knt. of Courtstowne
Richard Kyrle. Esq. (Knt) of
Dromaneear
1692 Sept. 12f/(— Alan Brodrick,
Esq. of Midleton.
Robert Rogers, of Ashgrovo,
alderman of Cork,
1695 Augt. 27id — Alan Brodrick,
Esq. of Midleton
Robt. Rogers, alderman of Cork
1703 SejJt. 1st— Hon. Thomas Erie,
Alan Brodrick of Midleton
1730 May 25i!/t— Edward Hoare, Esq
of Dunkittle, vice Brodrick o])-
pointed Chief Justice, Q B.
1713 Oc/;. 26;/t— St. John Brodrick,
Esq of the Middle Temple
Edw. Hoare, Esq. of Dunkittle
1715 Oct 17/A— Edw. Hoare, Esq.
of Dunkittle
Edmond Knapp, Esq. alderman
of Cork
1727 Sept. 25;/i— Hugh Dixon, Esq.
of Ballybrickan
Edw. Webber, Esq. of Cork.
1731 Oct. 2i)t/i — Jonas Morris, Esq.
of Cork, vice Webber deceased
1735 Oct. 20//i— Emanuel Piggott,
Esq. of Chetwyn, vice Morris,
deceased
1739 Oct. 29f/i— SirMatthewDcane,
Bart, of Dromore, vice Bixon,
deceased.
1751 Oct. 28M— Thos. Newenham,
p]sq. of Coolmore, vice Beane,
deceased
1761 April'28th— John Hely Hutch-
inson, Esq. of Knockloghty,
Tipperary.
Sir John Frcke, Bart, of Castle
Freke
1764 April 28//<— WilliiiuBrabazon
Ponsonby, Esq. vice Freke, de-
ceased
1768 Jiihj 8th— John Hely Hutch-
inson, Esq. of Palmerston,
Dublin.
Wm. Brabazon Ponsonby, Esq.
1776 Richard Longfield, Esq.
1784 Augustus Warren, Esq.
1790 Hon. J. H. Hutchinson
1791 lit. Hon. R. Longfield
1796 W. Hare, Esq.
1797 Mountford Longfield, Esq.
1808 Christopher Hely Hutchinson.
1812 Sir Nicholas C. Colthurst.
1818 Juhj—Uon. C. H. Hutchinson
APPENDIX.
321
1827 John II. Iliitchinson, Esq.
1830 Gerard Callaghan, Esq.
1830 Sept.— Hon. John Boyle
Daniel Callaghan, Esq.
1833 Jfln. 29th— Herbert Baldwin,
Esq. M. D.
1837 Sept. 11th — Francis Bernard
Beamish, Esq.
Yoiighal.
1559 Jan. — John Walsche, esq.
John Portyngall of Yoiighal,
1585 April — Thomas Copenger, esq.
James CoUen, esq.
Francis Anyas, esq.
1G13 April 26 — Edmund Coppinger,
alderman of Youghal,
John Forrest, alderman of
Youghal,
163 1 June 24 — Edward Gough,
alderman of Youghal,
Theobald Ronaine, alderman of
Youghal,
1639 Feb. 26— Edward Gough alder-
man,
Theobald Ronaine, alderman,
1661 ^p?-(7 1— Sir Boyle Maynard,
Bart, of Curryglass.
Owen Silver, gent.
1692 Sept. 19— Hon. Henry Boyle
of Castlemartyr.
Robert Fitzgerald, esq. of
Corkebegg,
1695 Aug. 10— Hon. Henry Boyle,
Robert Fitzgerald,
1703 Sept. 2— Henry Luther, esq.
of Ballyboy, King's County.
John Hayman, merchant of
Youghal,
1713 Nov. 4— Boyle Smyth, esq. of
Ballynctra, Watcrford,
Henry Luther, esq.
1715 Nov. 12 — Licut.-gcn. Francis
Palmes, Dublin,
Arthur Hyde, esq. of Castle-
Hyde,
1719 July 20 — Henry Ilugg, esq. of
Ballydaniel, vice Palmes de-
ceased,
1721 Ocf. 9— Arthur Hyde, esq. of
Castle Hyde, vice Hyde de-
ceased,
1727 Oct. 10 -James Tynte, Esq.
of Old Bawn. Dublin, and of
Dunlavan, Wicklow,
Hon. James O'Brien, of Dublin
\7b9i April 26 — Arthur Hyde, jun.
esq. of Castle Hyde, vice Tynte
deceased.
1761 April 16 — Sir John Conway
Colthurst, Bart, of Ardrum.
Bcllinsham Boyle, esq. of
Glinfield,
17G8 June 30— James Dennis, esq.
of Dublin,
Hon. Joseph Lysaght, of Cork,
1776 James Uniack, esq.
1777 Robert Uniack, esq.
1787 John Keane, esq.
1806 Hon. J. Bernard,
1818 Viscount Bernard,
1820 Jy^WZ 21— John Hyde, esq.
1 826 Jidyib — Hon.GeorgePonsonby
1833 Jan. 29— John O'Connell, esq.
1837 Sept. 11, —Frederick John
Howard, esq.
Kinsale.
1559 Jan. — Sir John Alen, knt. of
Alincourt Kildare,
Francis Agarde, esq. of Grange
Gorman, Dublin and of Fawstou
Staffordshire,
1585 April — James Galwey, esq. of
Kinsale,
Philip Ivuchc, esq. of Kinsale,
322
CORK llEMEMBRANCEIl
IGn April 21 — James Roche Fitz-
rhilip, of Kiusalc
Dominick Roche, Fitz Richard
gent, of Kinsale,
1C3 4 JwHe 13-\Vin. Gallwcy, esq.
of Kinsale,
James Roche, esq. of Kinsale,
1G39 Feb. — Patrick Roche Fitz
Richard of Kinsale,
Philip Uoche Fitz Richard, esq.
of Kinsale,
16G1 April U— St. John BroJrick,
esq. of Ballyannanane,
Randolph Clayton, esq. of
Short Castle,
1092 Jonas Stawell of Kilkearns,
Edward Southwell, esq. of
Kinsale and of Kingsweston,
Gloucester,
1695 Aug. 15— Edward Pouthwell,
esq. of Kingsweston, Gloucester,
James Waller, esq. of Kinsale,
1703 Sept. 2— lion. Henry Hawley
of Kinsale,
William Southwell, esq.
1713 Oct. 26— Edward Southwell,
esq. of Kingsweston, Gloucester.
Hon. Henry Hawley of Kinsale
1725 Sept. 30 — Anthony Stawell,
esq. of Kinsale, vice Hawley
deceased,
1725 Sept. 30— Sir Richard iNIeade,
Bart of Ballintobber, vice
Stau-ell, mis-elected.
1727 Ort. dM— Edw. Southwell, Esq
of Kingsweston, Gloucester
Sir Richard Meade, Bart, of
Ballintobber
1731 Oct. 22?jrf— Brigadier General
Gervais Parker, of Dublin, vice
Southivell, deceased
1731 Oct. 22rtfZ— Richard Ponsonby,
Esq. of Crotto, Kerry, vicG
Parker, mis-elected
1745 Oct. 12nd— ^QWT^^ Stawell, Esq
of Kinsale, vice Meade deceased
1761 April 20th-.h Folliott, Esq.
of Kinsale.
Edw. Southwell, Esq. of Kings-
weston, Gloucester.
1765 Nov.lGth Agmondisham Yesey,
Esq. of Lucan, Dublin, vice
Folliott, deceased
1768 .J till/ bth—A. Vesey, Esq. of
Lucan, Dublin.
James Kearney, Esq. of Gar-
rettstown.
1783 Cromwell Price, Esq.
1790 William Crowley. Esq.
1797 Samuel C. Rowley, Esq.
1806 H. Martin, Esq.
IBIS J id'j — George Coussmakev
IS20 April — Admiral Sir Josias
Rowley, Bart. K. C. B.
182G Jidij 25;/(— John Russcl, Esq.
Upton House.
1833 Jan. 29M— Lieut. Col. Samp-
son Stawell.
1S35 Feb. 19i/i— Lieut. Col. Henry
Thomas.
1837 Sept. I U^— Pierce Mahony, esq
1837 Sept. Uth—Uewt. Col. Henry
Thomas, vice Pierce Mahony,
Esq. mis-elected.
Bandon Bridge.*
1013 J;j)-.7 17— Sir Richd. Morrison,
Knt.
WilliaraCrowe, esq. of Crowe's-
nest, near Dublin.
1631 June 17— Sir Geo. Wentwcrlh,
Knt.
William Wiseman, Esq. of
Bandon and Kelbegge.
Incorporated March, ;iO, 1013.
APPENDIX.
323
1639 Feb. 21-Sir Francis Slingsby,
Knt. of Kiliuorc.
Anthony Doppiuge, Esq. of
Du'olin.
16G1 Ajiril-i — Robert Georges, l.l.h
of Kilbrevv, Mcatli.
John licade, Esq. Coolorelouge
1G92 Sept. 19 — Sir William Moore,
Bart, of Rossearbery.
Edwd. Riggs, Esq. of Riggsdale
1G95 Auff. 1— Edward Riggs, Esq.
Francis Bernard, Esq. of Castle
iVJahooue.
1703 Sept. 2 — Francis Bernard, Esq.
of Castle Mahoone.
Richard Gorges, Esq. of Kil-
brew, Meath.
1713 Oct. 29— Francis Bernard, Esq.
of Casile Mahoone.
Martin Bladen, Esq of Albury
Hatch, Essex.
1727 Oct. 23— George Freke, Esq.
Ste])heu Beriiard, Esq. of Castle
Mahoone.
1731 Oct. 21— Bellinghain Biyle,
Esq. of Glinfield, llathfaiiiham
Dublin, ihce Freke, deceased.
17CI -4/;r.7 23— Win. Conner, Esq.
Thomas Addcrley, Esq. of
lunishonan.
1766 Feb. 14— Francis Bernard, Esq
of Castle BeniarJ, vice Conner,
deceased.
17C8 July 2 - Francis Bernard, Fsq.
of ('astle Bernard, vies Conner,
deceased.
Thomas Adderley, Esq. of
Innishonan.
1775 W. B. Ponsonby, Esq,
Lodge IMorris, Esq.
1790 B. Chiiinery, Esq.
1797 Hon. W. O'Cdllaghan
ISJG Rt. Hon. George Tierney, of
London, & Wimbledon, Surrey
1812 Xov. 24— Right Hon. William
St urges Bourne.
ISIS Augustus Wm. James Clifford,
Captain R. N,
1S20 April 21— Hon. Jas. Bernard.
182G
1S27
1831
1833
1835
Julji 25 -Rt. Hon. John Wm.
Ponsonby, Visct. Duneannon.
Lord John Russell
June 14 — Sir Augustus Wm.
Jas. Clifford, Knt. Cupt. R.N.
./„„ 19— Hon. William Smith
Bernard.
Feb. 19 — Joseph Dcvonshcr
Jackson.
Moyallow vulgo Mallow.*
1613 3Iaij I —Sam. Molyneu.x, Esq.
of Louthstowne, Kildare.
Sir JamesV¥^are,Knt. of iNIaces-
town, Dublin
lC31JM;!e William Kingsmill, Esq.
of Ballyowen
Thomas Bettcsworth, Escj.
f 1634 t/a«. — Sir Thomas Wenman,
Knt. of Ballintogher, Sligo
D )nogh O'Brien, Esq. of Dough
Clare
1639 Marc/i 2-V/illiani Kingsmill,
Esq. of Ballyowen
Thomas Beckett, Esq.
1611 May — Joshua Boyle, Esq. of
Castle Lyons, vice Kingsmill,
past hope of recovery.
* The town of Jlallow and all Lands within the precints thereof, was on the 27th day of
February, 1012, incorporated, to consist of a provost, twelve burgesses and commonalty,
and to send two burgesses to Parliament, by the voice of the provost and burgesses.
t This election took place in consequence of new writs having been ordered to issue at
the request of Kingsmill Mid Bcttesworth, who had special occasion to be absent in
Knsland.
324
CORK REMEMBRANCER
IGGl April 25 — Heyward St. Legcr,
Esq. of Castlemore
Thomas Pooley, Esq. of Dublin
1G92 Sept. — .John Jophson, Esq. of
Mallow
1695 Aug. — William Jephson, Esq.
of Mallow.
Ijaiirence Clayton, Esq. of
Mallow
170.3 Aiic/. 31 — Laurence Clayton,
Esq. of Mallow
Bartholomew Purdon, Esq. of
Ballyclogh
1713 Nov. 6 — William Jephson, Esq
of Mallow
Anthony Jephson, Esq. Mallow
1715 Oct. 1.3 — William Jephson, esq
of Mallow
Anthony Jephson, Esq. Mallow
1716 June 7 - Wm. Brodrick, Esq.
vice W. Jephson, deceased.
1727 Nov. 13 — Anthony Jephson,
Esq, of Mallow
1753 Oct. 9 — Courthorpe Clayton,
Esq. of Anabeli, (^sivor7i)
17 b6 Jan. 13 — Denham Jephson,
Esq: of Mallow, vice Jephson,
deceased
1761 April 16 — Denham Jephson,
Esq. of Mallow
Wm Jephson, Esq. of Mallow
1768 July 6 — Denham Jephson, Esq
of Mallow
Denham Jephson, Esq. Mallow
1783 Sir Jas. Laurence Cotter, Bart
1790 J. Longfield, Esq.
1812 James Laurence Cotter, Esq.
1818 William W. Becher, Esq.
1826 July 25— C. D. O. Jephson, esq
1833 Jan. 29— Wm. Joseph O'Neill
Daunt, Esq.
1835 Charles Denham O. Jephson,
Esq. vice Daunt, mis-elected
1837 Sept. 6— SirC. D. O. Jephson
Norroys, Bart.
Charleville.*
1692 Sept 19— George Crofts, Esq:
of Churchtown, expelkd the
Wth of Oct. for his services to
kiiiy James.
Henry Bowerman, Jun. Esq.
of Couleyne.
1695 Aug. 13— Hon. Charles Boyle,
James Ormesby, Esq. of Ath-
laccagh, Limerick.
1703 Sept. 1— George Evans, Esq.
of Ballyvenoghe.
Robert Fitzgerald, Castle Dod.
1713 Nov. 2— Sir Mathew Dcane,
Bart, of Dromore.
Bretridge Badham, Esq. of
Ballyheene.
1715 Oct. 27 -Colonel Geo. Evans,
of Carassby, Limerick.
Capt. Wm. Boyle, Castlemartyr
1721 Oet. 5— Henry Purdon, Esq.
of Cork, vice Evans, deceased.
1725 Oct. .30— Hon. Jas. O'Brien, of
Dublin, vice Boyle, deceased.
1727 Oct. 14 — Pryce Hartstongue,
Esq. of Bruff, Limerick.
John Lysaght, Esq. of Mount
North.
1743 March 12 — Edward Barry, Esq.
M.D. of Dublin, vice Harts-
tongue, deceased.
1759 A'ou. 14 — Hamilton, viscount
Dungarvan, vice Lysaght, crea-
ted Lord Lisle.
1761 April 2\—'Rohcxi Barry, Esq.
of Dalky, Dublin.
Richard Longfield, Esq. of
Castle Mary.
' Charter, dated the 28th day of May, 1671.
APPENDIX.
325
1768 July 12 — Hon. James Lvsaght,
of Mount North.
Robert Barrv, Esq. of Dalkv,
Dublin.
1776 Richard Cox, Esq.
Thomas Warren, Esq.
1783 Rogerson Cotter, Esq.
1790 Sir J. Blaquire.
1797 Hon. C. H. Bovle.
Midleton.*
1G92 Sept. 22— Thomas Brodrick,
Esq. of Midleton.
George Rogers, Esq. of Bally-
knavin, Tipperary.
1692 Oct. 22— Henry Petty, Esq. of
High Wycombe, Bucks, vice
Rogers, returned for Lismore.
1C95 Augt. 7 — Sir Francis Brewster,
Knt. of Dublin.
St. John Brodrick, Esq. of
Wandesworth, Surrey.
Sept. 20— Charles Oliver, Esq.
of Clonodfoy, Limerick, V(ce
Brodrick, excused by reason of
sickness.
1703 Sept. 9— St. John Brodrick,
Esq. of Wandesworth, Surrey.
Robert Foulke, esq. of Curragh-
nehensy.
1707 July 7— Henry Boyle, Esq. of
Castlemartyr, vice Brodrick,
deceased.
1713 Nov. 2— Arthur Hyde, Esq.
Jephson Bustead, Esq.
1715 Oct. 28— Thomas Brodrick, esq
of Wandesworth, Surrey.
Edward Corker, Esq. of Muck-
town, Dublin.
1727 Nov. 2— Richard Bettesworth,
Esq. of Dublm.
Eaton Stannard, Esq. of Tub-
ber, Dublin.
1 74 1 Oct. 19- William Annesley,
Esq. of Dublin, and of Castle-
wellan, Downe, vice Bettes-
worth, deceased.
1755 Oct. 30 — Hon. Jas. Hamilton,
(visct. Limerick,) of Dundalk,
Louth, vice Stannard, deceased
1758 April 21 — James St. John
Jeffreys, Esq. of Blarney, vice
Hamilton, become Earl of
Clunhrassill.
1759 Oct. 26— Francis Andrews, lld.
of Dublin, vice Annesley, crea-
ted lord Annesley.
1761 April 14 — Thos. Brodrick, esq.
it
James St. Johu Jeffreys, Esq.
of Blarney.
1768 July 2 — Jas. St. John Jeffreys,
Esq. of Blarney.
Edward Brodrick, Esq.
1776 Henry Brodrick, Esq.
1783 Thomas Piggott, Esq.
Arthur Dawson, Esq.
1794 B. B. Woodward, Esq.
] 797 R. Harding, Esq.
1799 Major-general J. F. Cradock.
Baltimore.f
1613 April 20— Sir Thomas Crooke,
Knt. of Baltimore.
Henry Pierce, Esq. of Dublin.
1634 June 1— Lott Peere, Esq.
Edward Skipwith, Esq.
Dec. — James Travers, Esq. vice
Peere, absent in England on
special occasions.
1639 Feb. 24— Bryan Jones, Esq.
Henry Knyveton, Esq.
1661 AprillO — Sir Nicholas Purdou
Knt. of Ballyclough.
Richard Townssnd, Esq. of
Castle Townsend.
♦ Charter, dated January 2, loro.
t Charter, dated March 25, iel3.
F 1
326
CORK REMEMBRANCER
1692 Sept. 19— Col. Thos. Beecher,
Sen. of Sherky and Castle
Mahhowne.
Edward Richardson, gent, of
Moorstown, Castlemore.
1695 July 13— Col. T. Beecher, sen.
Edward Richardson, gent.
1703^?/5^. 19— Piercy Freke, Esq.
of Rathbarry. »
Thomas Beecher, Esq. Sherky.
1707 July 5— Edward Riggs, Esq. of
Riggsdale, vice Freke, deceased
1709 May 10 — Francis Langston,esq
vice Beecher, deceased.
1713 Oct. 26 -Hon. Richard Barry,
Michael Beecher, Esq.
1715 AoT). l—Hon. Wm. Southwell,
Michael Beecher, Esq.
1721 Sept. 26— Sir Percy Freke,
Bart, of Castle Freke, vice
Southwell, deceased.
1727 Oct. 5— Sir Percy Freke, bart.
of Castle Freke.
Rich. Tonson, Esq. Dunkettle.
1728 April21—S{r John Freke, bart
of Castle Freke, vice Percy
Freke, deceased.
1761 .4^9^7 27— Sir John Freke, bart
Richard Tonson, Esq.
1761 Nov. 30— William Clements,
Esq. of Dublin, vice Freke,
returned for the City of Cork.
1768 July 2— Sir John Freke, Bart.
of Castle Freke.
Richd. Tonson, Esq. Baltimore
1775 J. Deane,
1778 William Evans,
1781 James Chatterton,
1783 Lord Sudley,
Richard Longfield,
1790 Richard Grace,
1797 George Evans.
Clonakilty. *
1613 May 3 — Sir Edward Harris,
Kut. of Cahirmoney.
Sir Henry Gosnell, Knt.
1634 JuneV2 — SirRobt. Travers,knt
Philip Monwaring, Esq.
1639 Feb. 24— Sir Robt. Travars, knt
Peregrin Banastre, Esq.
1661 April 8— Joshua Boyle, Esq.
of Castle-Lyons.
Arthur Freke, Esq.
1692 Sept.—ii'w: Percy Freke, bart.
of Castle Freke.
Francis Bernard, Esq. of Castle
Mdhoone.
1695 Aug. 12— Sir Percy Freke, bart
Bryan Townsend, esq. of Castle
Townsend.
1703 Sept. 1— Sir Ralph Freke, bart
of Castle Freke.
Lieut. -col. George Freke,
1713 Oct. 28— Sir Ralph Freke, bart
Brigadier-gen. Goorge Freke.
1715 Oct. 17— Sir Ralph Freke, bart
Brigadier-gen. George Freke.
1717 ^-eiJ^— Richard Cox, Esq. of
Duumanway, vice SirR. Freke,
deceased.
1725 Sept. 16 — Fras. Bernard, jun.
Esq. vice Cox, deceased.
1727 Oct. 16 — Francis Bernard, jun.
Esq. of Castle Mahoone.
Sir Richard Cox, bart. of Dun-
manway.
1761 May 1 — Richard, Lord Boyle,
of Castlemartyr.
Sir Richard Cox, bart. of Dun-
manway.
1761 Nov. 27 — Henry Sheares, Esq.
of Golden Bush, vice Lord
Boyle, returned for the County
of Cork.
1766 Feb. 15— Mathew Parker, Esq.
of Youghal, vice Cox, deceased
* Charter, dated May 5, 1613,
APPENDIX.
327
1768 J'?/?!/ 7— Richard Longfield, esq
, of Castle IMary.
lliggs Falkiner, Esq. of Cork.
1776 Thomas Addorly,
A. Wood,
1784 Charles O'Neill,
1792 Sir J. C. Colthurst,
1793 Viscount Boyle,
1794 J. Hobson, Jun.
1797 Thomas Prendergast.
Castlemartyr.*
1692 Sept. 19— Sir Richard Hull,
Knt. of Leamcon.
Robt. Pooley, Esq. of Dublin.
1695 Aug. 17 — Robert Pooley, Esq.
of Dublin.
Samuel Morris, Esq. of Bally-
beggon, Kerry.
1703 Sept. 7— Thos. Keightley, Esq.
of Dublin.
Joseph Deane, Esq. of Dublin.
1703 Oct. 18— Robt Fitzgerald, Esq
of Corkbeg, vice Keightley,
returned for the County of
Kildare.
1703 Nov. 23— Sir Thomas Dilkes,
Knt. vice Deane, returned
for the County of Dublin.
1709 May 10— St. John Brodrick,
Esq. of Corke, vice Dilkes,
deceased.
1713 Nov. 14— Wm. Southwell, Esq
Robert Oliver, Esq. of Clonod-
foy, Limerick.
1715 Oct. 29— Bartholomew Pardon,
Esq of BuUyclogh.
Charles Coote, Esq, of Mount
Coote, Limerick.
1627 Oc<. 20— Bartholomew Purdon,
Esq. of Ballyclogh.
John Fitzgerald, Esq. of Bally-
nacorr.
1728 April 18— Michael O'Bryen
Dilkes, Esq. of Dublin, vice
Fitzgerald, deceased.
1737 Oci. 25 -Thomas Evans, Esq.
of Milltown, vice Ptirdon, de-
ceased
1753 Oct. 23— John Lysaght, Jun.^
P'sq. of Mount North, vice
Evans, deceased.
1761 April21— Anthony Malone, esq
John Magill, Esq. of Dublin.
17G8 July 18— Sir John Conway
Colthurst, Bart, of Ardrum.
Attiwell Wood, Esq.
1773 Sir J. Colthurst, Bart,
1775 J. Bcnnet, Esq.
1776 Riggs Falkiner, Esq.
1783 B. Chinnery, Esq.
1790 Sir James Lau. Cotter, Bart.
C. O'Neill, Esq.
1792 J. Hobson, jun. Esq.
1793 T. Prendergast, Esq.
1797 J. Townsend, Esq.
Doneraile.f
1692 Sept. 19— John St. Leger, Esq.
of Doneraile.
Arthur St. Leger, Esq. of
Doneraile.
1695 Aug. 13 — John Hayes, Esq.
Edward Denny, Esq. of Tralee,
Kerry.
1 703 Sept. 14- Sir Francis Brewster,
Knt. of Dublin.
William Phillips, gent.
1703 March 20— Joseph Kelly, Esq.
of Kellymount, Kilkenny, vice
Brewster, deceased,
1713 Oct. 28— Sir John St. Leger,
Knt. of Dublin and GrangemeU
Ian, Kildare.
Bartholomew Purdon, Esq. of
Ballyclogh.
* Charter, dated July 28, 1674.
t Charter, dated May I, 16r9,
328
CORK REMEMBRANCER
1715 Oct. 19— Hon. Arthur St. Leger
Doneraile.
William Cansabon, Esq. of
Carrig.
1727 Oct. 11— John Waller, Esq. of
Castletown, Limerick.
Jephson Bustead, Esq.
1727 Oct. 11— Hon. Hayes St.Leger
of Doneraile, vice Bustead,
tniselected.
1743 Oct. 20— William Haru-ard,
Esq. of Doneraile, vice Waller,
deceased.
1751 Oct. 25 — Sir John Conway
Colthurst, Bart, of Ardrum,
vice St. Leger, become Vis-
count Doneraile.
1761 April 21— John St. Leger, esq.
of Grangemellan, Kildare.
Sentleger Aldworth, Esq. of
Newmarket.
17 G8 Jidy 8 — Sentleger Sentleger,
Esq. of Doneraile.
Richard Aldworth, Jiin. of
Newmarket. <
1776 Hayes St. Leger, Esq.
1783 James Chatterton, Esq.
1788 J. Harrison, Esq.
1790 J. Bagwell, Esq.
1792 J. Maxwell, Esq.
1797 P. Holmes, Esq.
tfohn Townsend, Esq.
1798 Hon. B. St. Leger,
Rathcormac*
U'i2Sept. 19— James Barry, Esq.
of Rathcormac,
Robert Foulke, Esq. of Cur-
raghnehensy.
1695 July 29— James Barry, Esq. of
Rathcormac.
Robert Foulke, Esq. of Cur-
raghnehensy.
IIOZ Aug. 20— James Barry, Esq,
of Rathcormac.
Sir Daniel Gahan, Knt.
1703 Kov. 2 — John Silver, Esq. vice
Barry, returned for Dung ar van
1713 Nov. 7— James Barry, Esq. of
Rathcormac.
Edward Corker, Esq. of Muck-
town, Dublin,
1715 Oct. 19 — James Barry, Esq. of
Rathcormac.
Jephson Bustead, Esq.
1715 Jan. 2 — James Tynte, Esq. of
Old Bawn, Dublin, vice Barry,
returned for Dungarvan.
1727 TSov. 9 — Redmond Barry, Esq.
of Rathcormack.
James Barry, Esq. of Rathcor-
mack
1727 Feb. 9-William Fitz Herbert,
Esq. of Shercock, Cavan, vice
Barry returned for Tallagh.
1743 Oct. 26 — Joseph Leeson, Esq,
of Russellstown, Wicklow, vice
J. Barry, deceased.
1743 Oct 26— Brettridge Badham,
Esq. of Ballyheene or Rockfield
vice Fitz Herbert deceased.
1745 Oct. 19— John Magill, Esq. of
North Strand, Dublin, vice
Baaham deceased.
1756 May 2G — .\braham Devonsher,
Esq. of Kilshannig, vlceLeeson,
become Lord Russborough
1761 April 18 — James Dennis, Esq,
of Dublin.
Abraham Devonsher, Esq. of
Kilshanick.
1768 July 4— Abraham Devonsher,
Esq. of Kilshanick.
James Bcirry, Esq. Rathcormac
1776 William Tonson, Esq.
F. B. Beamish, Esq.
1783 S. Hamilton, Esq.
1784 Rt. Hon. T. Orde,
1790 H. Duquery, Esq.
J. P. Curran, Esq.
1797 N. Boyle, Esq.
C. M'Donnell, Esq.
1798 William Bagwell, Esq.
•Charter, dated March 11, 1081.
Note — Several of the titles of Baronet and Knight, prefixed to the names of member*,
were conferred upon, or accrued to them after their return to parliam,ent.
APPEIS^DIX. 329
•MEMBERS RETURNED TO KING JAMES' PARLIAMENT OF
1689.
County of Cork — Justia Mac Carty, Esq. — Sir Richard Nagle, Knt.
City of Cork — Sir James Cotter, Knt. — John Galway, Esq.
Youghal — Thomas Uniacke, Alderman — Edward Gough, Alderman.
Kinsale — Andrew Murrough, Esq. — Miles de Courcy, Esq.
Bandon Bridge — Charles M'Carty, Esq. of Ballea — Daniel M'Carty,
Reagh, Esq.
Mallow — John Barret, Esq. of Castlemore — David Nagle, Esq. of Carragowne
Charleville — John Baggot, sen., Esq. of Baggotstown — John Power, Esq. of
Kilballane.
Midleton — Dermot Long, Esq. — John Longan, Esq.
Baltimore — Daniel O'Donovan, Esq, — Jeremiah Donovan, Esq.
Ratkcormack — James Barry, Esq. — Edwa'rd Powell, Esq.
Doneraile — Donnell O'Donovan, Esq. — John Baggot, jun., Esq. of Baggots-
town.
Clo7iakilty — Lieut. Col. Owen M-'Carthy, Esq. — Daniel Mac Fion Mac
Carthy, Esq.
The names of protestants of the County and City of Cork and their families,
who fled from King James the 2d, with the yearly value of their estates, both
real and personal, and incomes arising out of offices, selected from a manu-
script in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, entitled, " A list of such
protest : of Irl : as are lately fled out of ye kingd. for safety of yr lives, & ye
yearly value of yr estates, now eithr sequestred by ye papists in Irl, or so kept
from ye s^ protests yt they neith!^ doe nor can receive profit out of yr estates."
Real Estates. Bayly, Jew. and 3 ch, (besides
Edward, Lord bishop of Cloyne, £20 personal estate) 120
wife and 6 children £500 Barret, Fr. w. and 6 ch. (besides
Allen, Charles, w. and 7 ch. .. . 100 £100 personal estate 70')
Aldworth, Richard of Dublin, w. Beecher, Th. w. and 7 ch 898
and 6ch.(besidesan income of Betsworth, Petr, w. andTch.. 150
£300 arising out of offices.and r, , ,u -d- i i ii i iaa
Vina „„t ^f ^ , ■ Ti Bechworth, Richard, w and 1 ch 100
icsUU out ot estates in Eng- '
land.) 200 Birne, Jo. Kinsale,w and 3 ch . . 200
Aldworth, Boyle, w. and 2 ch... 500 Bishop, William, 5 ch 130
Amory, Th 200 Boles, Richard w. and 2 ch . . . . 200
Arnold, Richard, w. and2ch.. 110 Boyle, Richard, w. and 4 ch . . 360
Arnot, William, (besides £100 Butler, Ruth, w. and 8 ch. . . . 120
personal estate) 200 Busted, Mich. w. and 3 ch 187
Gl
330
CORK REMEMBRANCER
Burt, John, of Tallow, co. Cork 100
Ballard, William, w. and 8 cli. 340
Can", Petr. w. and 3 ch 259
Gary, Eliz widow 100
Cartwright, Jo. w. and 4 ch. (be-
sides £31 personal estate) .. 110
Carty, Kath. widow one ch. . . 20,)
Clayton, Dorothy spinster .... 100
Clayton, Laurence 590
Cooke, Richard 440
Cooke, Jo. of Youghal 150
Cox, Richd w. and G ch 1 GO
Courthop, Jo. w 700
Courthop, Martha widow(besides
£20 personal estate) *900
Colborn, Sleph 100
Coursy, Henry (besides £100
personal estate) 43
Covert, Chr. widower 4 ch.
(besides £20 personal estate) 300
Cross, Epinetus, wife and 4 ch.
(besides £300 personal estate) 230
Croft, George, Jan. w. and 2 ch 260
Cross, Haws 370
Davys, Rowl, elk 120
Dallacourt, Ja 200
Daunt Jo.2ch 100
Daunt, Thos. w 2 ch 100
Dawly, Hen 260
Dean, Rob. w 140
Dean, Sir Matth. w. 4 ch tl500
Dunscombe, Noblet 230
Evans, J 540
Farreu,Th 155
Farmer, Sam. Youghal, w. 2 cli.
£200 personal estate
FzGerald, Dean, ofCloin, w.. 240
Fennell, Jo . . 134
Fen wick. Char. w. and 6 ch. . . . 160
Finch, Th. w. 3 ch., (besides
£ 158 personal estate) 260
Folly ot, Jo. w. 3 ch 560
Freak, Percy, w. and 1 ch . . . . 520
Franklin, Jos 1 05
Gash, Jo 140
Gething, Sir lid. and his mother
fbesides an income of £35
arising out of offices) 950
Gibbons, Jo. C. 1 ch., (besides
£44 personal estate) 120
Gibbons, Jo. jun. Shanagolden w 125
Gibbons, Bath. (£300 personal
estate)
Gilman, Rob. w. and 6 ch 120
Gookin, Mary, spinster « 100
Gookin, Rob. w. 1 ch 300
Gookin, Vincent, w 500
Groves, Abr. w. and 2 ch 300
Haughton, Epaphroditus, w. .. 181
Haughton, Geo. minor 215
Hawkins, Jo. w. and 4 ch. . . . 190
Harmar, Jo 120
Harmar, Wm 140
Hewit, Tho. Bandon, 2 ch 140
Hersey, Anthy ..* 235
Heyrick, Gcrshom 250
Hoar, Edw. w. 3 ch 500
Hovel Wm
Hodder Fr. Dublin, w. (besides
£85 personal estate) 150
Hodder, Wm. 5 ch 800
Honnor, Jo. w 147
Hull, Sir Rd. w. 3 ch., 800
Hull.Wm. w. 4ch 150
Jepson, Jo. w 800
Jervis, Sam 120
Inchiquin, Erl w. 2 sons 2530
Knowles Ths. w. 3 ch 100
* In the Manuscript doubtful whether gOfTor 90.
t From the great amount of this propertj', it seems probable that it consisted in part of
the jointure of Sir Matthew Deane's la.st wife, who was the widow of an Earl of Barrj'-
more. Sir Matthew was a merchant.
APPENDIX.
331
Langtoii, Jo w. 5 ch., (besiJes an
income of £200 arising out of
offices) 250
Lawton, Abraham 120
Lenlhall, Win, w. 3 ch. (besides
£42 arising out of offices.. . . 210
Lysaught, Nic 320
Lucas, qu ? Nat (besides £]00
personal estate) 126
Maynard, Sam. \v 340
Moore, Barry 1 son, (£120
personal estate)
Moore. Sir Samuel w. 2 ch, (be-
sides £178 personal estate), . 650
Moore, Wm.w. 2 ch 400
Morris, ApoUos, w. 2 ch 120
Mitchell, Ths, 4 ch. fbesides
£250 personal estate) 400
Nicholls, Edw 120
Newman, Rd, w. 2 ch 250
Newenham, Jo. \v. 3 ch 570
Peard, Hen 160
Piggot, Tho. of Chetwin 550
Pyne, Rd. w. 3ch 688
Purdon, Adam vv. ] uh 300
Rayman, Anth. 7 3h 300
Redwood, Th 100
Riggs, Edw, w. 5 ch. ("besides an
income of £120 arising out of
offices) 800
Roberts, Jo 100
Roberts, Fr. w 600
Roberts, Randu! w. 8 ch 160
Rogers, Robt. w. 5 ch 350
Rogers, Geo. 7 ch 400
Rogers, Rob. w. 6 ch 400
Ronour, Wm. (£38 personal
property, and an income of
£200 arising out of offices). .
Syng, Geo. w 100
Sylier, Mary of Yonghall widow
1 daughter (besides £50 per-
sonal estate) 140
Smart, Rob, w. 5 ch 150
Smith, w. 2 ch. (besides
£60 personal estate) 100
Smith, Jo. w. 6 ch 159
Spencer, Jo. Youghall, mother
and wife(besides £90 personal
estate) 55
Stawghton, Wm 108
Stowell, Jonas w. 2 ch 600
Steward, Rd. mother, wife and
3ch 150
Strange, Jo., br. and ch. sister
(besides £20 personal estate) 90
Strange, Fr. w. 5. ch. (besides
£41 personal estate) 110
Tynt, Hen 500
Townsend, Brien w. 4 ch 300
Townsend, Fr. w. 5 ch 340
Townsend, Horatio 100
Travers, Robt 140
Tuckey, Tim. w. & 1 son 196
Tuckey, Th. w 100
Twogood, Sampson 450
Wade, Ric 100
Walker, Thos 100
Wallis, Thos. w. 2 ch 200
Walton, Jo. w. 2 ch 190
Walton, S within, mother & sister
(besi'les £30 personal estate) 80
Warren, Wallis, mother, w. and
3 ch 110
Warner, Wm 160
Warner, Thos. 2 brothers 150
Watkins, Jo. w, 6 ch Ill
Webber, Mich. w. 1 ch 150
White, Jo 100
White, Wm.- w. 4 ch 200
Willes, Th. w. 4 ch,, (besides
£57 personal estate) 90
332 CORK REMEMBRANCER
The names of persons who forfeited estates in the year 1688, in the Counfy
and liberties of Cork, with the value of their estates, and the rents at which
they were set. This list does not include king James ov ihe earl of Clancarty,
who forfeited immense possessions.
Barrett, Colonel John -about 12000 acres, barony of Barretts, £1330 17 9
set at £1112.
Barry, Edward — barony of Bari-ymore, £258 12 G.
Barry, John Barry, of Derryloone — barony of Ibane and Barryroc, £50.
Browne, Nicholas — barony of Imokilly and Youghal, £125, set at £99 5.
Coppinger, Walter — South liberties, £60, set at £56.
Coppiuger, Thomas — North Suburbs of Cork and Barrymore. £74 6.
Coppinger, Thomas— South liberties, £112, set at £50.
Coppinger, Thomas, for life— City of Cork, £38, set at £25,
Driscoll, Cornelius — barony of West Carbery, £35, set at £25, and barony
of Condons and Clongibbons, £120, set at £100.
Galway, Arthur, or Ignatius Goold — South liberties, £43 15, set at £24 10.
Galway, Walter — barony of West Carbery, £50.
Galway, Edward — barony of West Carbery, £27, set at £20.
Galway, Edward — barony of Carbery, £502, set at £485 9
Goold, Ignatius, or Arthur Galway— Cork city, £280 10, set at £233 14.
Goold, Ignatius, or Arthur Galway — South liberties, £72, set at £67.
Goold, Ignatius — Liberties, £15.
Gould, Ignatius — I'^quity of redemption of Ballyphilip, sold for £10.
M'Carty, Charles— £635.
M'Carty, Charles, of Ardaclugg — barony of Muskerry, £255, set at £242.
M'Carty, Charles, of Toonadrome — £136, set at £117.
M'Carty, Teige, of Agliss— £357, set at £317.
Murrough, Andrew, of Ballintyrry, barony of Barrymore, £80.
Murrongh, Andrew, of Kilcoolishill — £77.
Nagle, Sir Richard — barony of Fermoy, £34.
Nagle, Pierce — baronies of Fermoy and Duhallow, £502 2 6, set at
£412 2 6.
Roache, Maurice — Kinsale, £8.
Sarsfield, Patrick — barony of Barrymore and Cork, £154, set at £124.
Sarsfield, Dominick — barony of Barrymore, £280, set at £269.
Wray, Sir Drury, for life — St. Laurence's Chapel, or three messuages, £10,
set at £1. •
APPENDIX. 333
Proprietors of laiul in tiie liberties of Cork at the time of the Down survey,
with the names of their estates.*
St. Finn Burr's Parish.
Stephen Coppinger, Ballintemple — 147 acres.
Parson of Clirist Church, North Maghin — 133 acres.
Edward Gallway fitz William, North Ballinure — 82 acres.
John Roche fitz James and Richard Roche, South Ballinure and Ballinorca,
169 acres.
Patrick Meade, Ballinloghy — 144 acres.
James Roche and Patrick Roche, Knock Irea — 84 acres.
Stephen Coppinger. Ballincurrig — 153 acres.
Richard Roche, Downdannon — 102 acres; Lahanabegg — 61 acres.
James Ronane, Shaghybegg — 48 acres.
The Lazers of St. .Stephen's parish. Spittle-land — 84 acres.
Maurice Roche fitz John, Croghydohoyge — 1 acre.
George Gould, the younger, Killiurendowny — 122 acres.
John Drouny, Freagh — 9 acres.
The dean of St. Finn Barr's, Carrigdecaning.
Stephen Roche, jun., Thomas Coppinger, esq., James Gould fitz Stephen,
and James Gould fitz David, Farrandaghadoney and Clashdufie — 97 acres.
John Gallway, Ballyphiehane — 153 acres.
The dean of Cork, Farrannateige — 60 acres.
Thomas Gould, esq. Hugarsland — 25 acres.
The bishop of Cork, Inchygeagan — 151 acres.
Ditto, Ballynaspigbegg — 133 acres ; Ballinaspigmore — 436 acres.
William Ronayne, Ballingillane — 139 acres.
Earl of Cork, Ballygagon — 57 acres.
Stephen Roche the younger, Ardarostig — 108 acres.
Thomas Gould, esq. Lehannaghmore — 548 acres.
Lord of Muskerry, Garranedarragh — 62 acres.
William Ronane, Doughcloon — 199 acres.
William Ronane, Knockilishin — 137 acres.
Lord Muskerry, Gortigawlane — 234 acres,
(Jeorge Gould, jun. Ballycurrine — 340 acres.
James Roche fitz John, Carrycannaway — 285 acres.
Stephen Roche the younger. Grange — 203 acres.
James Ronane, Knocknamalogue — 90 acres.
Bog, in common to the adjacent towns— 104 acres,
* Several of these lands were restored to the proprietors, some were forfeited again In
1088, a few belonged to Protestants and were not forfeited.
334 CORK REMEMBRANCER.
Carrigoline Parish.
Domiuick Coppinger, Doghlish — 137 acres.
Patrick Gould, Ardarigg — 34 acres.
William Hoore, INIonygormy — 673 acres.
James llonane, Kochtownc, MonfieldstownCj Kuockinueallagh, and Ould
Court — 725 acres.
Robert Hally, Ballindoohig — 131 acres.
St-ephen Coppinger, Castletreasure — 456 years.
James Lavallin, West Rathnicullig — 140 acres.
Ditto, East Rathnicullig — 95 acres.
John Roche fitz Edward, Ballywesigg — 268 acres.
Inchkiny Parish.
Pierce Gogan, Baliintawny — 18] acres.
William Gogan and Pierce Gogan, Ballinvoltig and Insking — 273 acres,
Guly O'Leahy, Killmurryhine — 103 acres; Ballinvriensig — 252 acres.
Ballynehoy Parish.
Lord of Muskerry, Ballycrauigg^^l99 acres.
Part of Killcrohane Parish.
Lord Killmallock, Corrihinne — 246 acres,
David Gould, East Ballinory — 262 acres.
Rathcony Parish.*
George Goold, the younger, Ballinriskig — 354 acres,
Catherine Creagh, widow, Ballincrokig— 129 acres,
Thomas Gould, esq. Loattybegg— 106 acres,
William Creagh, Banduffe — 163 acres; Ballyhearon — 129 acres.
George Meagh, Rathcoany — 146 acres,
Thomas Gould, Ballyphillip — 133 acres.
William Creagh, Latchardane — 64 acres.
Loattimore unforfeited — 100 acres.
Knockavaragan do.
Glebe — 7 acres,
* Lands in several other parishes seciu to be included herci
APPENDIX.
William Creagh, of Cork, by mortgage, Poulcacarry — north half plowland,
and south half plowlaiul — 120 acres.
Daniel M'Carty, Killvallig— 181 acres.
Patrick Lavallen, Culcoweu and Farrenrostig — 1433 acres.
Murtogh O'Brine, Ballynehine— 312 acres; KillcuUy — 115 acres; Cahorra —
1 15 acres ; Killcronane — 170 acres, and Ballinvarrig — 392 acres.
David Barry, Rahinisky — 152 acres ; Killindonnell — 174 acres; Moueard —
409 acres; Rathpeakane — 387 acres.
Patrick Lavallen, and David Barry, Boellibeg — 120 acres.
Cahergall iinforfeited — 100 acres.
Glebe land — 5 acres.
Bally hasty — 162 acres.
East Killgarrilfe — 240 acres.
West Killgarriffe — 201 acres.
Lord Muskerry, Killard, Killishill and Ballyniyarrane — 291 acres.
Ditto, Ballycamine — 103 acres ; Curryniroghowe — 219 acres ; Ciirrykip-
pane and Ballyskimcenc — 276 acres.
John Long, Clogheene — 251 acres.
Glebe land — 4 acres.
335
Shandon Parish.
David Galway, Ballynemought — 241 acres,
Stephen Coppinger, Ballyvolane — 144 acres.
William Gould, Killnappe — 115 acres.
James Galway, Commons — 164 acres.
William Gould, Farrenfierish — 49 acres.
John Lambard, Rathmore — 71 acres.
Anstace Tirry, alias Gould, Glawinckiltane — 13 acres.
David Lambard, Carrigeneveage — 31 acres.
Glebe land' — 2 acres.
The prices of Provisions in July, 1770, were as follows : —
Wheat, £1 5s. 9d. per bag — Oatmeal, 3s. 4d. per peck— Potatoes, 7d.
per weight — Fresh Butter, 6d. per pound — Salt Buttsr, 5d. per pound —
Mutton, 3|d. per pound — Beef, 4d. per pound —Pork, 2d. per pound.
336 CORK REMEMBRANCER APPENDIX.
A list of Prices taken some time in July in each year.
Year.
Weight of the
6 penny
Household loaf.
Wheat
per Bag.
Oatmeal
per Peck.
Potatoes
per Weight.
ibs.
OS.
drs.
s.
d.
s.
d.
s.
d.
1771 ..
... 5
4
0 ...
,. 23
0 ..
.. 2
8 ..
.. 0
5
1772 .,
... 4
15
0 ..
. . 27
6 ..
.. 3
3 ..
.. 0
7
1773 ..
... 4
10
0 ..
.. 28
6 ..
.. 2
2 ..
, ,
1774 .
... 4
4
0 ..
.. 30
6 ..
.. 0
10
1775 .
... 5
0
1 ..
.. 27
0 ..
.. 2
0 ..
.. 0
4
1776 .
... 5
0
7 ..
. . 24
6 ..
. . 3
0 ..
.. 0
8
1777
... 5
7
2 ..
.. 24
0 ..
.. 2
0 ..
.. 0
3t
''2
1778 .
... 4
6
4 .
.. 29
6 .
... 2
8 ..
.. 0
5
1779 .
... 5
15
5
.. 21
0 .,
... 2
2 ..
... 0
3
1780 .
... 6
5
1 ..
.. 18
6 .
... 2
2 .,
... 0
3
1781 .
... 4 14
0 ..
. . 25
0 .
... 2
8 ..
... 0
6
1782 .
... 4
4
0 ..
. . 30
0 .
... 2
8 ..
... 0
4
1783 .
... 4
6
0 ..
.. 30
6 .
... 3
8 ..
... 0
9
1784 .
... 3
12
7 ..
.. 34
0 .
.. 3
4 ..
... 0
6
1785 .
... 5
15
5 ..
.. 21
0 .
... 2
0 ..
... 0
2
1786 .
... 4
8
2 ..
.. 27
6 .
... 3
8 ..
... 0
9
1787 .
... 4
14
0 ..
.. 25
6 .
... 3
0 .
. . 0
3|
1788 .
... 5
0
1 ..
.. 24
6 .
... 3
0 .
... 0
4
1789 .
... 4
2
0 ..
.. 31
6 .
... 2
8 .
... 0
4
1790 .
... 3
13
G ..
.. 31
9 .
... 3
4 .
... 0
6
1791 .
... 4
1
0 ..
.. 31
0 .
... 3
8 .
... 0
5
1792 .
.. 23
0 .
... 3
0 .
... 0
3|
1793 .
.. 4
2
2 ..
.. 28
1 .
... 3
8 .
... 0
10
1794 .
... 3
5
1 ...
.. 36
0 .
... 3
8 .
... 0
4
1795 .
.. . 3
2
0 ..
.. 41
6 :
... 4
0 .
... 0
4
1796 .
... 3
4
4 ..
.. 39
6 .
... 4
0 .
... 0
n
1797
... 4
9
0 ..
.. 22
3 .
1798 .
... 3
7
2 ..
, . 32
0 .
1799 .
... 3
5
6 ..
.. 34
9 .
... 4
4 .
... 0
8
1800 .
... 1
14
0 ..
.. 59
0 ,
... 8
8 .
,. 1
4
337
ADDENDA
A.D.
The convent of Augustin hermits at the south side of the city ^'^-^
of Cork, now called the Red-abbey, was founded by Patrick
de Courcy, baron of Kinsale.
Skiddy"s castle was built by John Skiddy, who was the same 1445
year bailiff of the city. This castle was rented by the Crown
as a powder magazine until 1785, shortly after which it was
taken down.
The lord president of Munster imposed heavy fines upon the 1^06
mayor, aldermen, and others, and sentenced them to imprison-
ment during pleasure, for refusing to attend the divine service
of the reformed churches. The following are their names and
the fines imposed. Wra. Sarsfleld, mayor, £100 — Edmond
Galway, gent. £60 — Edm. Morrogh, merchant, £60 — Thomas
Coppinger, gent. £60 — Henry Gold fitz Adam, merchant, £50 —
JohnTyrrie, fitz Francis, merchant, £50 — Andrew Galway, gent.
( exonorated because " sese conformamV ) £50 — Walter Cop-
pinger, gent. £100 — Jeffrey Galway, sovereign of Kinsale, £100
— Phil Roche, of Kinsale, burgess, £50 — J as. Meagh of Kinsale,
burgess, £50 — Robert Meagh, of Kinsale, burgess, £50 — Patrick
Martell, of Kinsale, burgess, £40. Some months afterwards
the following persons were fined £100 each, and ordered to be
imprisoned during his majesty's pleasure for the same offence.
Dominick Roche, merchant — John Borenaugh, alderman —
David Meaghe, sheriff — David Tirrye Fitzstephens. The goods
of these persons were sold for payment of the fines.
Jul^ 1 — A bye-law was made by the corporation, whereby
Hi
1G09
338 CORK REMEMBRANCER
A.D. it was enacted, that the office of mayoraltie should be supplied
1609 • 1 1 1 1 1 (.1 • • 1 • .
successively by the old mayors ot the city in turn, beginning
on the election monday in the following year with " the first
ancientest mayor," and tliat any mayor who refused to take his
turn should give notice of the same upon the first of July, the
day appointed for the naming of the succeeding mayor, and
pay a fine of £30 to the use of the corporation ; and that
the " next ancientest mayor "' should then be elected, and so upon
the refusal of each, a like fine should be paid; and when the
course of succession of the old mayors should have expired by
"effluxion of time, or by refusal and payment of fines," that
then the office of mayoralty should be supplied by the " ancientest
bailiffs and sheriffs, each to be elected and to succeed according
to his antiquity unless some impediment such as insufficiency or
disability should appear, when the next capable should succeed,
and that every bailiff or sheriff who refused to accept the office
should give notice upon the first of July, and pay a fine of £20
when " the next ancientest as aforesaid" should be elected.
And it was at the same time made a bye-law, that from thence-
forth for ever none should be elected to the office, but such as had
been sheriffs or bailiffs before their election.
July 28 — A bye-law having been made in the time of W. Sars-
field mayor, to the effect that " in regard of the great charge of
the city, and strangers taking up the benefit which might redound,
to the decayed citizens' children," no person born out of the
said city, and whose parents were not natives of the same, should
be retained by any of the said city, as a servant, prentice, or
partner, to intercourse merchandize or other trades, unless he
first found sureties, after his partnership or prenticeship end-
ed, to marry one of this city, or otherwise to make his con-
tinual dwelling within the same, and be contributory to all
charge and talliage as other freemen ; and that such of the same
quality as were prentices then or partners in the said city should
perform as aforesaid, or in case of their resolving to retire to
their natives, that they should upon oath deliver the total of
their stock before the mayor and sheriffs, and pay a fine of £10
out of each £100 of the value, and in case they failed to do so,
ADDENDA. 339
that their sroods should be retained; but said bye-law having A.D.
proved defective, another was made on this day for supplying
the defects, which was similar to the last, except that a fine of
£20 was thereby directed to be levied on the goods of any person
taking apprentices, partners, &c. contrary to the same, and the
bodies of offenders were ordered to be committed to gaol for per-
formance of same ; and it was enacted that every mayor should
see executed and collected said fines, on pain of a fine of £100.
Aug. 3. — A bye law was made appointing Thomas Gould
Fitzwilliam, chamberlain of the corporation until the 2Sth day of
the following October, at which time he was to account before
the mayor, sheriffs, and council, and then another was to be
chosen in his stead and sworn, and thenceforth a new chamberlain
annually. It was at the same time enacted that no sheriff should
for the future have any intermeddling with the city revenue.
A bye-law was made " for the better enabling the corpora-
tion to pay their debts, and discharge their prize wines out of
mortgage, and for making up their common work," where-
by it was enacted that the customs specified in a schedule,
written under the note of said bye law in the council book, should
be levied for three years, and should afterwards be continued or
discontinued as should appear most convenient, which
customs should be let to farm customers, or collectors
should be appointed from month to month, and a true ac-
count should be delivered by the chamberlain every Saturday.
Strangers however were thereby exempt from paying the new
customs. In 1612, this bye-law was further confirmed on the
26th of June, until the Monday night after the next Michaelmas.
^ug. 30. — A jury was empanelled, to enquire and present
whether the stone house, erected by John Roche Fitz John,
without the north gate of the city, was likely to be prejudicial
or hurtful to the city or corporation, and found that it was not.
Sept. 25. — Robert Tyrry Fitz-Robert was appointed a coun-
cilman, in consideration of his services in surveying and mear-
ing the county of the city of Cork.
Oct. 25. — A bye-law was made, which recited the bye-law
made in the time of William Sarsfield, mayor, 1605, viz. that
340
( ORK REMEMBRANCER
^■'^- the bailiffs' receiver should be called a chamberlain, and that
1009
after that year, one or more chamberlains should be elected
yearly, and then enacted that the sheriffs for the time being, viz.
the sheriff of the north gate, called the king's sheriff, should be
yearly sworn one of the chamberlains, to receive the old merchant
customs which the bailiffs' receivers were accustomed to receive,
viz., prisage, customs, and cocket, and that the other sheriff
should be sworn chamberlain to receive the new customs, and
all debts, forfeitures, seizures and sums in gross of that nature,
and that the then sheriffs should be accordingly sworn in, the
following day.
IGIO Ja7i. — The corporation, by virtue of letters to them
directed by the vice-president, &.C., ordered that 208 score
pounds should be levied upon such merchants as had shops or
standings in the city, and were also traffickers with England, and
that the same should be repaid in England by the treasurer's
bills of exchange, with allowance of two shillings in the pound
from the corporation, and that good security should be given
therefor ; and that the mayor and sheriffs should commit the
bodies of such person as should refuse to pay his portion thereof
Jan. 29. — A bye-law made this day recited that " forasmuch
as the work and building of a courthouse for the county of Cork,
in the king's old castle, according to the late charter was then
forward, and that it was found by the opinions of masons and
skilful men that no convenient court house might be builded
there, imtil all the old walls and vault there, being all ruinous,
and unable to bear any other new work was broken down," and
then enacted that the said old walls and vault should be pulled
down, and presently after new good walls be built and made
up of lime and stone.
Ma?/ 23. — A jury was impannelled to inquire and present
"whether the common lane leading to Gold's cloase, towards
the king's walls -of the city of Cork, had been made use
of as a passage, and whether the .same was obstructed and
stopped up, whereby his majesty's subjects could not have
ogress or regress to the said walls, either single or with their
carriages," and to ascertain who it was that obstructed the same.
ADDENDA.
341
The juiv found that the said common lane had been used time A. D.
beyond the memory of man, " where the middle door oi the stone
house built by John Cretigh, deceased, was placed, and so
through directly between the said John's hoath tatch messuages
to the sthiirs on the said walls, and that said Creagh had ob-
structed and built on said lane, so that his majesty's subjects
could not have egress and regress, and that the said lane should
be five feet from one end to another."
Sept. 28 — A bye-law, made this day, recited that "forasmuch as
in all common-wealths, the city or chief place thereof is most to be
respected and regarded, not only in fortifying and maintaining
the same, but also in foreseeing and preventing of future incon-
venience that might ensue thereunto, and especially in not
permitting, nor any way tolerating of any building to be made or
erected near unto the same, whereby it might, in any way, pre-
judice, annoy, or be hurtful unto the said city in action or juris-
diction, whereof our forefathers were careful and provident, as
we see by the precedents they have left us ; and yet notwith-
standing that James Morrogh of this city, merchant, contrary to
the premises and many inhibitions, both by the head magistrates
of the city, and by the lord president, hath builded and erected
by stealths and degrees a stone building with lime and stone, in
and upon a certain garden without the south gate of the said
city, and near the gate thereof leading to St. Dominick's abbey,
contrary to an express promise and oath made to the mayor and
council ; and that the said James Morrogh being convented be-
fore the said mayor and council, and being charged with the
said offence, and not being able to impugn the same but having
remained in misericordia ; it was by the said bye-law stated to
be thought meet, considering the great prejudice that would be
sustained, if the same were- permitted to the whole city, if any
insurrection or rebellion (as God forbid) should happen in this
province, to censure the said James Morrogh, and he was there-
by censured and commanded to break down and rase the said
work to the ground, to the height of feet, and after only
use the same for a garden plot, otherwise the sheriffs were to
break the same, and to disfranchise the said James, who was
342 CORK REMEMBRANCER
A.D. then also fined, according to the ancient custom of the said
city, 20 nobles.
Oct. 1. — There is an entry in the council book of this date,
that Mr. Thos. Sarsfield was sworn recorder for that year, and
that lie was to have for his fees £10, and to be next in station
to the mayor, and that a bye-law was^ to be made to that
effect,
Oct. 27, — In consideration of £210, the new customs, which
had been granted by a bye-law, were set by the corporation unto
William Skiddy Fitz-John, merchant, for a year, from the 1st
Oct. then inst. with power to distrain for the same.
Oct. 29. — The following bye-law was made by the corpora-
tion, " having considered the great enormitie and hindrances that
proceed to this common-wealth and good government of this
city and citizens, in admitting young gentlemen, being mayors'
sons and heirs, being of tender years, to the office of mayoraltie,
before they were first bailiffs; and albeit, that a certain number
of young men were admitted councillors of the citty, who never
had borne the office of bailiffship, amongst which Wm. Goold
fitz George, Dominick Tirrie fitz Edmond, William Skiddy
fitz John, Edward Roche fitz Edmond, and Geoffry Gallwey
fitz Patrick, being all sons and heirs to mayors, were, upon
their being admitted councillors, faithfully promised to be never
troubled or called to the election or office of bailiffship, but
only reserved to supply upon other necessities the office of
mayoralty as occasion would be ministered, every one in his
own rank and antiquitie, notwithstanding the by-law made, that
none should be made or admitted mayor, but such as first
should be bailiflf or sheriflf, as by that bye-law appeareth, where-
in is mentioned that every old mayor should successively take
the office of mayoraltie, by means of which law Mr. Geo. Goold,
now mayor, v/as compelled to undergo that office of mayoraltie
for this present year, and Dominick Tirrie fitz Edmond, not-
withstanding the former promise, to be sheriff for this present
year ; it is made a bye-law that none shall be mayor, but such
as first undergo the office of sheriflfship, and that every mayors'
son and heir shall be elected and chosen sheriff, every one in his
ADDENDA. 343
degree, calling and autiquitie successively, being of /iaZ'i/i^/'e; A. D.
and that Wm. Goold fitz Geordge and Wni. Skiddy fitz John
shall be for the next year compelled to undergo the office of
sheriftaltie without any election, if sufficient impediment or
dishability be not manifestly proved, and if same be proved, then
the next eldest mayor's son, otherwise to pay £20, as a fine for
his forbearance for that year ; and after the said mayors' sons
and heirs so made sheriffs, every one in his degree, calling, and
antiquity, that then all others, such as have not borne the office
of sheriffship (old bailiffs and old sherifls excepted) and being of
the council, shall successively in their calling and antiquitie
undergo sheriffship, or pay £20 ; and if hereafter the said law of
old mayors be infrmged, altered, or determined by effluction of
time or otherwise, that then every mayor's son and heir, being of
habilitie, or sound of body, or having no other lawful imperfec-
tion, shall be chosen mayor, every one in his degree and calling,
as he supplied the said office of sheriffship in antiquitie, before
any other that bore the office of bailiffship, first beginning with
Dominick Terry, now sheriff, and next with Andrew Galway
fitz Walter, now sheriff, or else pay £30 for that year ; and
that every mayor and sheriff shall chose the eldest and best
worthiest mayors' sons and heirs for their sheriffs successively,
one after another, until every one take his turn, and if they choose
any other, that the mayor so offending forfeit £40, and every of
the sheriffs £30: provided that if it seem good to the mayor,
sheriffs, and commons, to elect a grounded lawyer of this citty,
admitted to plead in his highness's courts of Dublin, and well
studied in the laws, to the office of mayoralty for the good of the
city, notwithstanding that he is not sheriff, that they may so do ;
and for the performance of this law, we the mayor, sheriffs, and
council have subscribed our names and took our corporal oaths
to observe and keep the same."
Jan. 31. — The following bye-law was made, " forasmuch as ign
divers and sundry persons, some honest and loyal subjects, and
some, as it is reported and to be feared, not so honest nor so
loyal, do daily flock unto these suburbs and liberties thereof out
of all places, the last sort of them presuming that they may be
344 CORK REMEMBRANCER
A. D. harboured in such sort that they shall be free from corrections
Ifil 1
and censure of law, and some others, for concealing their re-
ported misdemeanors, hire houses to rent, and therein do lodge
their disordered persons, to the great annoyance of this city and
commonwealth ; it is enacted that every person whose father and
mother and himself were not born in this city, suburbs, liberties
and precincts thereof, and took, or shall take to rent or build
any house, and who dwelleth, or shall dwell within the said city
or suburbs, shall, after notice, make repair with one or two sure-
ties, as the mayor and sheriffs shall appoint, and enter into re-
cognizance in such sums as the mayor and sheriffs think fit,
that he and they shall continue a true and loyal subject, and of
loyal subjection to king James, his heirs and successors, and be
forthcoming upon every such notice as aforesaid, to answer for
all such matters as shall be objected in behalf of his highness,
&c. and unto every other subject's complaint and action, and
obey the laws and customs of this city, and not suffer any un-
lawful gaming, or suspicious or disordered persons to abide in
their houses, or resort to the same, but inform the mayor, or
one of the sheriffs of such persons places of resort, and presently
take corporal oath for performance of the premises ; and it is
enacted, that all such persons as shall refuse or will not acknow-
ledge such recognizance, together with sureties as aforesaid,
and take his oath as aforesaid, shall forfeit £5 for such fault, and
£10 for the second, and so doubling the latter sum for every fault
subsequent, and that the sheriffs levy the same off their goods,
or commit them into prison until it is paid, and until they enter
into recognizance ; and it is enacted, that every landlord, who
shall set any house or place to build a house to any such person,
whose father and mother and himself were not born in this
citty, 8cc. shall within 24 hours give notice of said demise unto
the mayor or one of the sheriffs, to the end that such persons
shall be sent for to acknowledge said recognizance, and every
landlord offending, shall for every 24 hours which he surcease
■• in giving notice forfeit 20 shillings,"
Feb. 5. — "In regard of the great charges every term in Dublin,
touching the fee farm of the city and the Fahye, and other causes
ADDENDA. 345
as the supposed mortmains and other suits there in question." ^Ju'
John Coppinger, alderman, was appointed an agent for England,
at a salary of ten shillings a day, to solicit his highness and lords
of the council touching same, and other defects in the charter.
Feb. 20. — Certain Canarie wines, oil, fruit, Sec, hrought by
Thomas Bernard, merchant, of the good bark called the Loape
of Jersey, were " quanted" at Court, and none of the commons
having preferred more profit unto the court for the buying there-
of than Edward Roche Fitz Morris, it was ordered, that said
Edward should have liberty to buy same, agreeing with the said
merchant, and paying out of hand unto sheriff Tyrry, the cham-
berlain, £20, with two stone of the figs and raisins, and a gallon of
oil to each of the aldermen, and a reasonable portion of the
fruit and oil to each of the councilmen, they paying according
to the rates set down by the said merchant.
April 4. — The fairs of Monday after Trinity Sunday next,
and St. Mathew's day were set for £20 to two councilmen, who
were to incur all the expenses attending them.
Oct. 28. — The councilmen being in the habit of appearing at 1612
court upon days of assembly contrary to the usual custom, a bye
law was made, that every councilman should have a good and
sufficient gown of his own, and no borrowed gown, on or before
Easter day next ensuing the date thereof, or in default of so
doing, not only be censured and amerced, as should seem fit to
the mayor, sheriffs, and council, but also be excluded from
his degree of councillor, until he should buy a gown de novo.
March \1 . — The Rev. Richard Owen, prebendary of Kilna- 1926
glory, gave a donation of £20 towards erecting a library for the
use of the cathedral church of St. Fin Barry's.
JsTo'o. 5. — There was an order passed by the chapter to pay 1633
£18 towards the erection of an organ in the cathedral church of
St. Fin Barry's.
Dec. 7 — The vicars choral entered a protest against the
power of the Dean and Chapter to punish them for any crime or
fault.
Sejyt. 21. — In consequence of dilTercnces having arisen be- iqqq
tween the dean and chapter of the cathedral church of St. Fin
346 CORK REMEMBRANCER
A-D, Barry's and the lord bishop of Cork, concerning the east bounds
of the church, it was determined, with the consent of the bishop,
Imprimis^ that an east wall be built from certain points (then
already marked out) in the south and north walls of the church
yard, the one moiety at the charge of the dean and chapter ;
Item, that a way of twelve feet in breadth, from the east street to
the gate and stile which was to be in the said wall, should be
left common and kept well paved by the adjacent inhabitants.
Item, for the preservation of said wall, and for the decency of
the said church-yard, and because some part of the consecrated
ground would be without the said wall on the east side, that it
should not be lawful for any of the tenants to raise any building
or ricks of corn, hay, furze, &c, or piles of wood, &c. leaning
upon, or contiguous to the said wall, and that any transgression
should be accounted a trespass against the Dean and Chapter.
April 5. — By a lease of this date, Benjamin Crosse, preben-
]G70 dary of Saint Trinity Christ Church, in consideration of £10
sterling, for himself and his successors demised to George Wright
his executors, administrators and assigns, for the term of forty
years " all that and those, a paire of old ruinated walls, com-
monly called the colledge, with a garden plot thereunto adjacent,
being part of the prebend of St. Trinity Christ Church, con-
taining from east to west five score feet, and from north to south
four score feet, being bounded on the east with the city wall ,
on the west with the lands lately in the possession of Walter
White gent, and now in the possession of the said George Wright
on the north with Christ Church lane, and on the south with
the common sewer.
jlug. 8, — An order was made by the Chapter to lessen the
1077 number of stalls in the choir of St. Finn Barry's Church and to
make them shorter.
Oct. 13. — Amongst the Crosbie MSS. is an original letter of
16S8 this date, written in Cork, by counsellor Gallway to sir Thos.
Crosbie. After giving an account of a law suit of sir
John Crosbie's, the writer then proceeds : — " In a house in
Milsheed in this cittye next to ye wall, being a great house, in
which Sir Wm. Fenton and some others of noat before and after
ADDENDA. 347
him lived foniierly, happened an accident last night. On Wed- A.D.
nesday night, a servant niayd of ye house being in bed alone, an
aged^ man with a large beard and good countenance app'' to
her, shee ask'' in God's name what he was, he tould her ye
next tyme he came he would informe her ; last night he app**
againe to her, tould her y' thirty-five years since he was murder**
in y' house, burryed in a part thereof, and y' shee should goe
w"' him and he would shew her y' place of his buryal ; shee got
up and did, but before shee went far, shee began to be fearful and
stayed, he thereupon clap'' his hand on her shoulder, and there
has left an impression vissible ; he had a flame or a light in ye
other hand : he shewed her a ground closet, or small ground
roome, where he said he was buryed, y" vanished : she cal''. up
her master, revealed all y' morning : ye place is dig'' and there
ye heade and bones of a man is found ; now all are at work to
find, if possible, who this murther'' man was, and who lived in
ye house at ye tyme, this I thought fit to trouble you with, be-
cause it is strange. I am yor faithful and humble Serf,
, JO. GALWEY.
Oct. IStJi — A certificate signed by the following persons was ,gQA
given to John Galvvay of the city of Cork, esquire, counsel at
law, " that he demeaned and behaved himself always with great
honesty and modeiation in the course of his profession, and in
all other ways towards the protestants, that they (the undersigned)
never heard he bore arms, but with repeated denyal refused so
to do, that he received and sheltered the goods, chatties, deeds,
and writings of many English protestants, as well absent as
present, by which means they were kept from being robbed and
plundered, his countenance and favor being a great means of
their protection from ruin and misery ; that upon the impri-
soning of protestants he frequently visited them, used great
kindness and liberality towards them, bayling and procuring
enlargements for several of them, and administering dayly to the
necessities of many poor and indigent protestant prisoners, both
with money and provisions, which they thought themselves bound
in conscience to certify, to the end that his stcddy integrity
348 CORK REMEMHRANCER
A,D. might meet with due regard from the government. (Signed)
Barrymore, Robert Foulke vie com., John Meade, llichard
Travers, Wilham Kenye, JohnTravers, Boyle Aldworth, William
Ballard mayor, Alan Broderick recorder, William Roberts and
Nicholas Green, vie, E. Cork Ross, Arthur Pomeroy dean of
Cork, Rowland Davis dean of Ross, Walter Neal chanter and
vicar-general of Cork, Richard Lap arch-deacon of Cork,
Edward Sing rector and vicar of Christ Church Cork, Dominick
Mead arch-deacon of Cloyne, Evan Jones schoolmaster of Cork,
Andrew Syras rector of Ballymoody, John Fortune vicar of
Kinneagh, Benjamin Lukey rector of the Great Island, Edward
Webber, George Evans, jun., John Love, Thomas Farren, John
Wakeham, Nicholas Greene, William Jephson, Robert Travers,
Robert Mead, Warham St. Leger, Richard Travers, Michael
Woodword, Martin Stoaks, John Williams, Dennis Casey, James
Finch, George Wright, William White, Thomas Finch, Patrick
Ronan, John Champion, Thomas Wills, Jonathan Perry, not.
pub. Robert Smith, Francis Poltney, Thos. Browne, John Brown
Edw. Looby, John Hatheway, John Kift, Walter Lane, George
Gamble, John Varraccre. The following persons also certified
that he had been chosen a parliament man for the city of Cork,
in the late pretended parliament, and that they and all other
aldermen and burgesses in the said city who were protestants
voted for his being elected, believing him the most proper and
friendly man of his religion then in election for the said place, in
relation to the protestants and their interests, and that if they
had not voted for him he would not have been elected, and that
they never hoard he proposed or voted anything against the protes-
tants or their interests, but the contrary. (Signed) Daniel Crone
mayor, William Roberts, Bate French, John Williams, Edward
Webber, Thomas Devonshier, James French, Richard Brock-
lesby, Thomas Wright, Thomas Meade.
1700 April Wtli — Thirty pounds was ordered by the dean and
chapter to be advanced towards making the bishop's throne in
the cathedral.
]7Qg Nov. Uh — Cornelius Hignelt was appointed pro-dean during a
vacancy which was caused by the death of dean P(?meroy
ADDENDA. 349
A.D.
1712
Ai^rtl — The clean and chaptei- ordered that llicir economns
should buy an eagle to put the church bible upon, and that it
should be made of the brass branch in the chest in the chapter
house.
The Green Coat Hospital being finished, a certain number of 1716
boys and girls were cloathed, and made their first appearance in
Shandon church.
J\rovi,Sth — The dean and chapter ordered that a new pulpit
should be immediately finished for tlie cathedral, and put up in
the room of the old one, and that a canopy should be made
over it.
The corporation gave to Captain Thomas Deane a piece of 1719
ground adjoining St. Peter's Church, to erect a school and alms-
house upon, which was afterwards built by him for the reception
of forty poor children.
This was the period of the troubles of the " wild geese," many 1721
of whom were hanged.
Two men named Keating and Reyland being found guilty of 1722
the murder of Isaac Watkins were hanged at Gallows Green. In
three or four days after their execution they were proved to have
been innocent, on the evidence of one William Line, who confess-
ed that he and Michael and James Bourne were really the mur-
derers; these and Line were consequently executed for the crime
and their heads spiked on the south gaol, neither of the Bournes
would confess, and one of them (James) attempted to throw the
hangman off the gallows.
March 2oih — The following was the weight of the six-penny 1724
loaf of bread, taken from " the Cork Newsletter " a newspaper
printed by George Bennett, a few numbers of which are in the
possession of Edward Hoare, Esq. White 31b. 3oz. — wheaten
41b. 14oz. — household 61b. 6oz.
Clarke's bridge was built by the corporation. 1726
Juli/ 12th — By an act of grace 48 persons were discharged 172s
from the north gaol.
One Croneen was hanged and quartered at Gallows Green, for 1730
the murder of Andrew St. Leger, Esq. his wife and gardener ;
he was immediately after his trial put into a dung cart and car-
350 CORK REMEMBRANCER
A.D. riecl to the Gallows. Joan Condon being engaged in the same
murder, was burnt the Saturday following.
jlpr'il 17. — Henry Jaques was pillored for perjury, he sub-
173G orned Daniel Connel to swear false examinations against John
Breade, for being a papist carrying arms.
The north Infirmary was established in this year, by the mem-
1744 hers of a miisical society, who appropriated their surplus funds for
its support ; it was incorporated by act of parliament in 1751.
March 29 — William Forster, a post boy, was put in the pil-
1^^^ lory at the corner of Broad-lane, for using the following seditious
words, when coming into town with a foreign mail; being asked
" what news," he replied, " good news, the pretender is crowned
in- Scotland." One Daniel Coughlan was on the same day simi-
larly punished, for drinking the health of Lord Clare, who was
then an officer in the French King's service, at the rebelli'on in
Scotland.
April 15. — Denis Dunn was executed near Broad-lane, for
1749 enlisting John Mc Fall to be a serjeant in the French army.
jLpril 4 — Thomas Hierlihy was executed near Broad-lane, for
1752 enlisting William Towers and Thomas Dove to serve the French
King ; and on the 4th of May, Denis Mc Carthy was executed
at Gallows Green for a similar offence.
Denis Line otherwise Lawdier, was whipt twice most cruelly
from South gate to Blackpool, attended by the sheriffs, who
commanded Henry Major and Thomas Grady the two bell men
to "lay on him" which they did in a most unmerciful manner ;
Grady who had more humanity than the other, upon seeing the
blood nmning from Line's body, refused to continue to whip him
and threw up his employment to the sheriffs.
The lord lieutenant lodged at the house of Francis Carleton
]755 during his stay in Cork, which was for two days.
The fish market at the end of Watergate-lane was built.
J75Q John Swete the mayor of Cork committed to Bridewell all
the tradesmen who were brought before him, for refusing to pay
the several masters of trades an exorbitant quarterage, upon
which the several quarterers commenced a law suit against him
in the court of King's Bench, and after the cause was heard,
1753
1758
ADDENDA.
351
A D
there was an attachment issued against the mayor, upon which ^-'^g"
he was taken into custody by Richard Burke carpenter, and
Daniel Donovan joiner, who were the persons named in the
attachment, and was obliged to give £1000 bail for his personal
appearance. He accordingly went to Dublin with William
Snowe and appeared before the Chief Justice Caulfield, to declare
by what authority he had extorted money from his majesty's
subjects, but having pleaded innocence or ignorance, his conduct
was overlooked on payment of £600, provided he never again
committed the same offence.
Several outrages were committed by a class of persons called ^'"^
levellers, or white boys, who were in the habit of assembling at
nisht and throwina: down walls and ditches &c. In order to
suppress such proceedings, the government issued a proclamation,
offering a reward of £100 for the apprehension of the principal
leaders, in consequence of which sixty persons were brought
into Cork and lodged in the south gaol, and half of them after-
wards sent to Waterford to be tried where the outrages were
committed. There were two gentlemen deputed by government
to go to Cork to examine separately each of the persons confined
there, several of whom were acquitted and sent home after having
been examined. Three persons were found guilty, and were on the
23d of June carried in two hackney chairs, attended by the Rev.
Standish Barry, who gave them to the care of the parish priest
of Rathcorraac, when they were respectively executed at Mitch-
elstown, Glanworth, and Fermoy, their respective residences.
They were escorted to the place of execution by nearly a regiment
of soldiers, and were hanged in white shirts drawn over their
clothes, which had been prepared by the high sheriff of the
county.
John Barnes was appointed gaoler in the room of Henry
Seymour, who was discharged for using the prisoners ill.
Sept. \\ttJi — The convicts under sentence of death in the 17G9
city gaol, with some others of the prisoners, got their irons partly
off, and attempted to break out, but were prevented and secured
by the vigilance of the gaoler and his assistants.
The south chapel was built. 1'7G
352 CORK REMEMBRANCER
A.D.
1777 The high tower called the clock gate which crosses the main-
street in Youghal, was built this year by the corporation of that
town.
177S John Mead, Matthew Duggan, and Timothy Deashy, were
executed for robbing the dwelling house of David Noonan.
Deashy having stabbed himself in gaol the night before his ex-
ecution was carried on a truckle to the gallows. The three
prisoners were escorted to the place of execution by all the
armed societies in the city of Cork.
1780 Brunswick street chapel was built in this year and enlarged
in 1827.
1790 The Cork library was established in this city.
1798 Feh. lOlh — The first number of the Cork Herald or Munster
Advertiser was published in this city.
I^ov. lid — A young soldier belonging to the Hessians or 60th
regiment was shot in a field on the Black-road for desertion.
DATE DUE
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